Georgia Goal Scholarship (Atlanta: credit, private schools, taxes)

[fzx]

I came across this website (Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program, Inc. [HOME]) and feel that the government mis-used our money to support for religious purpose.

Basically, the program allows GA tax payers to dedicate their state tax for the scholarship program in return for lower their state tax for a 1-to-1 tax credit. The individual contribution is capped at 75% of total state tax and the total fund is capped at $50MM annually. Total impact for a tax payer is net breakeven or sightly negative of $200. But the scholarship is only allocated within 50 private schools, all of which have obvious religious missions.

Since its approval, the annual contribution has grown from $6MM in 2008 to $50MM in 2011 while our state tax collections have decreased. This means less money for the general fund and other education programs. To make things worse, only 18% of the funds are distributed as scholarship to help students while others, I guess, go to the schools' coffers. I saw an ad for a North Fulton school soliciting donations in return for lower tuitions by 30%.

I know that there are a lot of pet projects that never benefit the majority, but I am upset that this is obviously a misuse of public funds when themajority of schools and students are suffering.

[ToucheGA]

Originally Posted by fzx

I came across this website (Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program, Inc. [HOME]) and feel that the government mis-used our money to support for religious purpose.

Basically, the program allows GA tax payers to dedicate their state tax for the scholarship program in return for lower their state tax for a 1-to-1 tax credit. The individual contribution is capped at 75% of total state tax and the total fund is capped at $50MM annually. Total impact for a tax payer is net breakeven or sightly negative of $200. But the scholarship is only allocated within 50 private schools, all of which have obvious religious missions.

Since its approval, the annual contribution has grown from $6MM in 2008 to $50MM in 2011 while our state tax collections have decreased. This means less money for the general fund and other education programs. To make things worse, only 18% of the funds are distributed as scholarship to help students while others, I guess, go to the schools' coffers. I saw an ad for a North Fulton school soliciting donations in return for lower tuitions by 30%.

I know that there are a lot of pet projects that never benefit the majority, but I am upset that this is obviously a misuse of public funds when themajority of schools and students are suffering.

Participation in the GOAL program is strictly voluntary, and only a small percentage of tax payers choose to participate. If you do not want your taxes to be used in this manner, do not apply for the program.

[AcidSnake]

Well...Georgia without Atlanta is essentially another Mississippi. Man, I wish I was just joking about this...

Originally Posted by fzx

I came across this website (Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program, Inc. [HOME]) and feel that the government mis-used our money to support for religious purpose.

Basically, the program allows GA tax payers to dedicate their state tax for the scholarship program in return for lower their state tax for a 1-to-1 tax credit. The individual contribution is capped at 75% of total state tax and the total fund is capped at $50MM annually. Total impact for a tax payer is net breakeven or sightly negative of $200. But the scholarship is only allocated within 50 private schools, all of which have obvious religious missions.

Since its approval, the annual contribution has grown from $6MM in 2008 to $50MM in 2011 while our state tax collections have decreased. This means less money for the general fund and other education programs. To make things worse, only 18% of the funds are distributed as scholarship to help students while others, I guess, go to the schools' coffers. I saw an ad for a North Fulton school soliciting donations in return for lower tuitions by 30%.

I know that there are a lot of pet projects that never benefit the majority, but I am upset that this is obviously a misuse of public funds when themajority of schools and students are suffering.