As students head to the polls to vote for the next president, they will also have the chance to vote for three amendments to the Georgia constitution that focus on economic growth.

Amendment 1

What it says:

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide that the General Assembly by general law shall encourage the preservation, conservation, and protection of the state’s forests through the special assessment and taxation of certain forest lands and assistance grants to local government?”

What it means:

This proposes a new way for tax assessment of forest land conservation of more than 200 acres, according to the Web site for Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel.

“When [the forests] fragmented, many of the environments that benefit are diminished,” said Steve McWilliams, executive vice president of the Georgia Forestry Association.

McWilliams said the act would help sustain the economic contributions to the Georgia economy. Conservation would help with “our quest for energy independence” with the possibility of ethanol, he said.

“It would be dangerous to take for granted that the Georgia forests are here forever. If we don’t have sound policy to encourage landowners forests could disappear.”

Amendment 2

What it says:

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize community redevelopment and authorize counties, municipalities, and local boards of education to use tax funds for redevelopment purposes and programs?”

What it means:

The proposal would allow school districts to use funds for redevelopment programs, according to the Web site.

“It’s about schools having a choice to participate in the revitalization of their districts,” said Jim Durrett, executive director of the Livable Communities Coalition. Durrett said University students should consider voting in favor of the amendment due to its economic potential.

“If I were a student I would think, ‘do I want to work in a system that has opportunities for economic growth and jobs that will give local governments one more tool they can use to stimulate economic growth?’”

Amendment 3

What it says:

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize community redevelopment and authorize counties, municipalities, and local boards of education to use tax funds for redevelopment purposes and programs?”

What it means:

This proposal would allow for the creation, expansion, provision and regulation of infrastructure development, especially for underserved areas, according to the site.

Kirbo Cam, director with Georgians for Quality Economic Development, calls the amendment an “economic incentive” that will not ‘”burden the taxpayers.”

“It will enable new public infrastructure to be financed by the new residents bringing in the need rather than all the old residents,” Kirbo said. “It gives local government a new option.”