ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia state Senate has approved a resolution to cap the state's income tax at its current rate.

Georgia senators voted 42-11 Monday to prohibit the General Assembly from increasing the state's income tax above its current rate.

The legislation is sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore David Shafer, a Duluth Republican. The resolution would also block state lawmakers from imposing any new state income taxes.

Shafer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (http://bit.ly/1k5nxIv ) that he'd like to see the state income tax reduced to keep Georgia competitive with neighboring states.

Senate Resolution 415 must pass the House before being presented to voters for a statewide ballot referendum.