Amendment III
We conclude an analysis of Georgia’s proposed constitutional amendments today with a look at Amendment III. It’s up to you, the voter, to take it from here and help decide on Nov. 4 whether each amendment should be passed.
Amendment III
To authorize the creation of special Infrastructure Development Districts providing infrastructure to underserved areas.
“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for the creation and comprehensive regulation of infrastructure development districts for the provision of infrastructure as authorized by local governments?”
Like most state referendums, language means everything, and yet it is often so difficult to decipher exactly what the amendment says and means. Bureaucratic speak does not translate well with voters. This is precisely the case with Amendment III. So let’s see if we can clarify what it means.
If passed, Amendment III would allow local governments to create special districts, issue tax-exempt bonds and build public infrastructure - roads, bridges and green space. Property owners in these special districts will pay the fee necessary to cover the cost of these infrastructure projects. However, the public will have access to all new developments. In the past, this amendment was known as the “Private Cities Bill.”
The idea behind Amendment III is that it will create a new way for local governments to generate revenue while placing the burden of cost on those who would benefit most - local property owners - instead of all taxpayers.
Opponents of the Infrastructure Development Districts (aka IDDs), suggest that the amendment is simply a way of skirting zoning laws, since no referendum is required to begin new infrastructure projects. Furthermore, opponents are wary that the amendment allows for a tax to be collected by non-elected officials - that is, developers and private corporations doing the construction.
To read more about Amendment III from the Secretary of State’s office, go here.
Georgia Weekly has a nice analysis of all the amendments. Go here to watch the video. Discussion of the amendments with Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Kelly McCutchen begins at 13:17.
You can also read more from advocates for Amendment III by going here.
Columnist Bill Shipp wrote an editorial opposing Amendment III here.