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Ga. House District 141 candidates discuss sales tax, border dispute

Rep. Allen Peake will not be seeking re-election, but four other Republicans are running for his spot.

State Rep. Allen Peake isn't seeking re-election to the Georgia House of Representatives District 141 seat that he's held for 12 years.

But four other Republicans - Gary Bechtel, Shane Mobley, Todd Tolbert and Dale Washburn - are running for the position.

On this week's Close-Up program, the four discuss issues ranging from the long-running Bibb / Monroe County border dispute to a proposal that would add another permanent local option sales tax for Bibb County, if voters approve.

Bechtel supports the proposal.

"First off, it's an opportunity for those who choose to vote ... to freeze their (property) assessment because one of the components is a tax freeze," Bechtel said. "As a consolidated government, we have the opportunity to do that."

Mobley doesn't like the proposal.

"I'm not someone who's very keen on raising taxes of any kind," Mobley said. "I think that government can just, and in this case is, just running a little bit rampant ever since we consolidated. The county was, always had a surplus, now through consolidation we do not."

But Tolbert said the tax hike could help Macon Bibb resolve the tax problems.

"Sometimes, you need at least temporary assistance to get through a tough period, and Macon and Bibb is going through a tough period," Tolbert said. "It's been extremely tough balancing the budget."

Washburn also supports the proposed tax.

"I favor a sales, a local option sales tax, generally because it gives relief to the property owner," Washburn said. "In this situation, it seems the sticking point is the disagreement between the Republicans and the Democrats."

Washburn is discussing the partisan flap over how much of the money would be used to roll back property taxes and how much would go to the county general fund.

You can catch Close-Up in its entirety at noon Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday on 13 WMAZ.

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