ATLANTA – House Resolution 21 passed out of the State Planning and Community Affairs Committee in the Georgia House of Representatives today by a vote by a 7-1.
HR 21 is a constitutional amendment that would allow a previously merged county to be re-created through a voter referendum. Only two counties remain in Georgia that were previously merged into another, Milton County covering most of North Fulton and Campbell County extending across South Fulton.
The resolution now moves to the House Rules Committee before it can be voted on the House floor.
As a constitutional amendment, the resolution would have to garner a two-thirds majority vote in the Georgia House and Senate before it could be placed on the General ballot for a statewide vote in 2010.
“Cityhood in the cities of Milton and John’s Creek just two years ago brought government closer to the People. Countyhood would finally cut government down to size for all of North Fulton,” stated Majority Whip Jan Jones (R-Milton), the resolution’s primary author.
Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter (R- John’s Creek) and Fulton County Commissioner Lynne Riley spoke in favor of the resolution during the committee meeting. Representative Wendell Willard (R- Sandy Springs) made the motion for “Do Pass” as a member of the committee.
“Today’s passage of the constitutional amendment to re-create Milton County by the State Planning Committee is a significant step towards the long deserved independence of North Fulton County. The net effect for our residents will be lower taxes, improved services and increased home values,” said Rep. Mark Burkhalter.
In addition to Rep. Jones and Rep. Burkhalter, HR 21 has also been sponsored by Rep. Harry Geisinger (R-Roswell), Rep. Chuck Martin (R – Alpharetta), Rep. Joe Wilkinson (R- Sandy Springs), and Rep. Wendell Willard (R- Sandy Springs).
“The committee vote today is one more step in North Fulton’s quest for more efficient, responsive government,” said Rep. Jones.
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