City Council wish list is ready
If you've been wondering what you could give the Atlanta City Council to make them happy, wonder no more – they've issued a list. Unfortunately, unless you're a state lawmaker, you won't be able to provide any of the items on the list.
Here's a selection of wish-list items:
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- Amend State law to allow local governments the ability to restrict guns in city parks.
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- Amend State law to allow local governments the ability to restrict ownership of assault weapons within the city limits.
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- Amend State law to allow municipal courts the ability to suspend drivers’ licenses for failure to pay fines.
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- Amend State law to authorize municipalities to require vacant property registration.
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- Amend State law to permit photo speed detection devices in school zones.
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- Amend the City of Atlanta charter to allow the City to impose a wholesale alcohol tax increase.
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- Amend the City of Atlanta charter to allow the City to increase the tax-by-the-drink tax on alcohol.
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- Amend the City of Atlanta charter to allow the City to impose a by-the-glass tax for beer and wine.
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- Amend State law to permit a local option real estate transfer tax to fund greenspace acquisition and maintenance.
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- Amend State election code to require independent school districts to compensate municipalities for the costs of conducting their elections.
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- Amend State law to allow cities with a development authority to negotiate for the sale of city surplus property, as an additional tool in marketing property.
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- Amend the City charter to allow the municipal court to add a 10% surcharge to any criminal or traffic fine imposed to fund court programs.
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- Amend State law to permit the use of liens to collect water/sewer bills.
As for the first two, it ain't gonna happen; we've got us one gun-lovin' Legislature.
As for raising local liquor taxes: Drunks, unite! We need to fight back this latest assault on intemperance!
And the rest of the suggestions seem to be focused on squeezing a few more shekels out of us, the public – through speeding fines, a court surcharge, a real estate transfer taxes and added leverage on drivers and water-users to pay our bills and fines.
Fellow turnips, prepare to be squeezed.