Wednesday, October 26, 2011
We are pleased to offer the Georgia Business Action Network's first quarterly newsletter - your source for information on federal and state affairs important to our state's business community.
Be on the lookout for this newsletter in October, January, April and July - as well as action alerts and legislative updates throughout the year.
Thank you for being an active part of Georgia's business community.
ACTION ALERT: U.S. House set to vote on 3% withholding requirement TOMORROW 10/27
GBAN needs your help to repeal a proposed 2013 IRS policy that would require federal, state, and local governments to withhold 3 percent of their payments for goods and services provided by private businesses. This will be another financial burden to business - particularly small companies - at a time when millions of business owners are already facing an uphill battle to grow and create jobs.
Grassroots efforts have gotten the attention of the U.S. Congress, and the House is set to vote tomorrow to seek a repeal of the 3 percent withholding tax. But we still need your help!
For more information on the repeal of the 3% withholding mandate, click here.
2011 Special Elections - Tuesday, November 8
On November 8, Georgians in four legislative districts will head to the polls to fill several vacant seats in the Georgia General Assembly:
House District 10 (formerly held by Rep. Rick Austin)
House District 25 (formerly held by Rep. James Mills)
Senate District 28 (formerly held by Sen. Mitch Seabaugh)
Senate District 50 (formerly held by Sen. Jim Butterworth)
Several new legislators have already been sworn into office from previous special elections this year:
Senate District 26 - Miriam Paris (D-Macon)
House District 139 - James Beverly (D-Macon)
House District 43 - John Carson (R-Marietta)
Governor Deal will also be announcing a special election to fill the vacant House District 68 seat, formerly held by Rep. Tim Bearden, who was recently appointed to serve as Director of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.
To find out more about these special elections, please visit the Georgia Secretary of State's website.
Nearly 100 Georgia Communities to vote on Sunday Sales
This November, almost 100 cities and counties in Georgia are set to vote whether or not to allow for the retail sale of alcohol on Sundays. The Georgia Chamber has been a leading advocate for local businesses to have the right to decide how they should operate, and worked tirelessly during the 2011 General Assembly to make this referendum possible.
Each of the 97 referendums has been placed on local ballots for Tuesday, November 8. To check your voter registration status and find out more information on the upcoming elections, please visit the Georgia Secretary of State's website.
Transportation Campaign Gearing Up
Regions across Georgia have finalized their project lists and the campaign to pass the 2012 TSPLOST is off to a running start.
The Georgia Transportation Alliance, a Georgia Chamber affiliate, will be leading the efforts of the Connect Georgia campaign, taking place in 11 of the 12 regions across the state. Doug Callaway, who has extensive transportation policy knowledge at the state and federal level, will serve as the Alliance's Executive Director. The team also includes strategists with an unmatched record of success in Congressional, gubernatorial and mayoral races, as well as local SPLOSTs. They will work with individual regions across the state, in concert with efforts in metro Atlanta, to pass the referendum next year.
Please make sure to visit the Connect Georgia websiteand stay tuned for more information on this important economic development initiative for all Georgians!
Federal Update
The Georgia Chamber has been closely following a number of federal issues that could have a tremendous impact on Georgia businesses. We have sent letters of support or opposition on each of the following and will be actively working with leaders going forward to ensure Georgia's business climate is not adversely affected by stifling legislation in the future.
U.S. Chamber Releases Quarterly Small Business Survey Results
Small business owners' confidence in the U.S. economy continues to decline, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Quarterly Small Business Outlook Survey. Their results show that almost 90 percent of respondents do not think the economy is on the right track, and only 17 percent plan to hire new employees.
Click on the above link to view the entire survey and see how the business community is reacting to the nation's continued economic uncertainty.
