Monday, April 11, 2011
Updates will be sent each day the legislature is in session this week - today, Tuesday and Thursday.
Education
SB 79(Sen. Buddy Carter, Pooler) was passed by the House today and will now go back to the Senate to agree. The bill was modified by the House to allow the Governor -- following a hearing by the state Board of Education -- to remove members of any local school board failing to meet accreditation requirements by July 1. The Georgia Chamber has taken a support position on this bill as it is consistent with our organization's belief that sound school board governance is critical to quality education.
Health Care
HB 47, a Georgia Chamber scorecard issue, passed Senate committee today. This bill will expand health insurance options and potentially lower costs for Georgians by allowing the purchase of policies approved in other states.
Economic Development
HB 48, also a scorecard issue, was passed by Senate committee. This bill will provide cities and counties with the option to exempt business inventories from local property taxes.
Tax Reform
While a new tax reform bill, HB 388 (Representative Mickey Channell, Greensboro), was passed by the Joint Committee on Georgia Revenue Structure today, it appears that the bill may be stalled for this session. Among other provisions, the bill in its current form includes a reduction in the state personal income tax from 6% to 4.55% by 2013 and phases out the sales tax on energy used in the manufacturing process. The Georgia Chamber supports this bill as it will have a positive impact on the state’s competitiveness and ability to create jobs.
Additional 2011 Georgia Chamber Scorecard Issues:
