SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Many Georgians and politicians are debating whether Georgia should get rid of the state income tax.

States like Florida and Tennessee have already made the change, but what are the pros and cons? talked with two Georgia lawmakers who are divided over this issue, State Sen. Blake Tillery of Vidalia and State Sen. Nan Orrock of Atlanta.

Both lawmakers serve on the special committee to eliminate the state income tax, and they had their most recent hearing Tuesday. Sen. Tillery is the chair of the committee.

“This is the largest tax that the state charges, and it’s our best opportunity to put more money back in the pockets of the hardworking families that gave it to the government to begin with,” Tillery said.

According to Sen. Orrock, this tax brings in $16 billion annually and funds projects from roads to prisons, education and more. The tax was recently lowered to 5.19%, but Orrock thinks doing away with it all together isn’t the best move for Georgians.

“We need to be very wise about tampering with our revenue,” Orrock said. “The thing is that eliminating income tax for our state sets us up for a regressive tax policy. What that means is that middle class, moderate income and lower income families will bear a larger burden for helping fund the needs of the state. It’ll hit their pocketbook harder than it will the super rich.”

Sen. Tillery, however, said the state has seen tremendous growth, especially the Coastal Empire, and that growth in business will make up for any lost revenue.

“Growth from the ports, Gulfstream’s expansion, the expansion of more industries that have come in because of our water travel… While we’ve been able to incentivize those businesses to arrive here, I think what you see is that a lot of hardworking families here in Georgia are asking ‘what have you done to help me?”

The committee will submit their recommendations to the full senate in December.