The City just released this statement from Mayor Jim Baskett regarding Decatur’s legislative efforts this session.

The City of Decatur is appreciative of the efforts of Representative Karla Drenner and State Senator Elena Parent to move forward with part of the overall Decatur Annexation Master Plan.  Regretfully, HB 663 was not successful during the 2015 legislative session.  It is our understanding that opposition from neighborhoods in the City of Atlanta annexation plan and concerns about potential lost revenue to the DeKalb County School System resulted in the bill not receiving consideration in the Georgia Senate. During the remainder of 2015, the Decatur City Commission will assess how, or if, we want to move forward on annexation issues in 2016.

In addition, the Decatur City Commission had also supported legislation to increase homestead exemptions for City of Decatur taxes.  We are highly disappointed that property tax relief for our taxpayers, particularly for low and moderate income seniors was defeated in the Georgia House of Representatives. Adoption of the proposed legislation would have made a real difference in the lives of our seniors by providing over $1,100 of annual tax savings.  The Decatur City Commission will try again in 2016 to secure reconsideration of the legislation by the General Assembly.

The AJC reports that Decatur’s partial annexation bill “fell apart” today after it didn’t get the required four signatures from state Senators to move forward.

The AJC also reports what we already know – that the predominant issue at hand was the commercial property – and thus tax revenue – being diverted from DeKalb County to Decatur and the various neighborhood groups that opposed the commercial-dominated effort.

“Other senators felt there was too much controversy with Decatur and too little time to work it out,” [Sen. Elena] Parent said. “I’m not saying it’s impossible to get this done, but we’re going to wait and see how things develop over the next year.”

Meanwhile the Avondale bill did get the required signatures and will be voted on by the full Senate on Thursday.  However, again there’s opposition due to the transfer of – say it with me – commercial areas from DeKalb to the city.

The votes have been tallied and here’s a smattering of races with a local connection:

• Elena Parent won the Democratic nomination for Jason Carter’s vacated Senate seat, attracting 65% of the vote to Kyle Williams’ 35%
• Decatur former School Board member Valarie Wilson is in a strong position to be the Democatic candidate for State School Superintendent, with the most votes of any Democratic candidate. But without “50% plus one” vote – Wilson will need to enter into a runoff with the second place candidate, which looks to be state Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan to secure the nomination.
• And of course, Gov. Nathan Deal and Jason Carter now officially are poised to go head-to-head in the governor’s race.
• Also, DeKalb Sheriff Jeff Mann and former DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones are headed for a runoff for County Sheriff.

Lynne points to this Elena Parent/Kyle Williams forum tomorrow evening at ASC, hosted by Jim Galloway…

WHAT: GA Senator Jason Carter is running for Governor, leaving an open seat in Senate District 42. Please come out and hear from these highly qualified candidates before the May 20 Primary! To see if you live in Senate Dist 42, go to: http://goo.gl/REsSxR for a map. Neighborhoods: North Druid Hills, Druid Hills, North Decatur, City of Decatur, Oakhurst, East Lake, Kirkwood, Edgewood, & Belvedere Park (and surrounding neighborhoods).

WHEN: Tuesday, May 6, 2014 from 7:00 PM 9:00 PM; Doors open at 6:30 PM

WHERE: Agnes Scott College, 141 E College Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 in Rebekah Scott Hall

RSVP: Reservation Required to enter. First come, first serve on a space available basis after 7:00PM. RSVP on FB: http://goo.gl/te5VW8 or Brown Paper Ticket

CONTACT: Maggie Paynich, Treasurer, DeKalb Young Democrats: [email protected] or 404-804-6405