From the state of Georgia to property owners: “Shut up and pay.” Georgia property owners that still own their homes are forced to suffer through a tax increase during the highest period of property foreclosures in state history.

In January 2009, Governor Sunny Perdue eliminated state reimbursements for counties homestead exemptions. Lawmakers failed to reinstate funding and the result is higher property taxes for homeowners throughout Georgia.

In Coweta County, that’s an additional $300 dollars or so for each homeowner, making 2009 property taxes the highest dollar amount EVER for most property owners.

What makes this even more unpalatable is the fact that this increase was not noted in preliminary bills that might have prompted property owners to appeal their assessments in a timely fashion.

For now, taxpayers can only grit their teeth and pay the tax. Next year however, all citizens of Georgia should appeal their assessments and also take their revenge at the polls.

At this point in time, tax increases on property owners are unconscionable.