Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislative Update: April 26
Monday, April 26, 2010
There are two working days left in the 2010 session of the Georgia General Assembly - legislators will meet tomorrow and convene for the final day on Thursday.
For a listing of all bills being tracked by the Georgia Chamber this year, contact information for elected officials, or past updates, visit the Government Affairs page at www.gachamber.com.
State Budget A legislative conference committee will finish its work this week on the FY2011 budget. The nearly $2 billion budget gap will be closed through numerous cuts, a new hospital tax and $96 billion in fee and license increases. It is predicted that next year's budget will be even more challenging due to the slow pace of economic recovery. The Georgia Chamber will continue to work with elected leaders to identify budget solutions that meet the needs of our citizens while fostering a strong economic climate.
Transportation After three years of collective hard work, the General Assembly passed a transportation funding plan last week that is expected to be signed by the Governor. The bill calls for a statewide referendum to be held in 2012 through which twelve separate regions will chose whether or not to tax themselves one-cent for transportation projects. Local leaders will have a role in project selection and there are financial incentives for those regions that choose to participate. The Georgia Chamber wants to thank all those who have been engaged on this critical issue and looks forward to working to implement the legislation once it becomes law.
Health Care SR 277, which would let Georgians vote in November on a $10 tag fee on personal and commercial vehicles that could raise necessary funds for trauma care throughout the state, is currently pending in the House. Tax HB 1405, creating the Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians, which will convene throughout the year and make recommendations in early 2011, was passed by the Senate last week and now goes to the Governor for signature. The Georgia Chamber will be a part of this council and looks forward to providing support for this effort to review and update the state's tax code in a way that will bring both fairness and predictability to all taxpayers.
Education Based on recommendations made by the Commission for School Board Excellence to improve schools by strengthening school boards, SB 84 has passed both chambers and is expected to be signed into law. The legislation standardizes qualifications, increases training requirements, and clarifies the roles and responsibilites of school board members.
HB 1195, which would secure the future of the Georgia Work Ready program by codifying its purpose and governance structure, awaits a vote by the full Senate this week. The Georgia Chamber is a founding partner in this successful economic development program and strongly supports this legislation.
Economic Development HR 178, which brings clarity to Georgia's employment covenant laws, is currently in conference committee. This bill would ensure that employers and employees in this state enjoy the same certainty with regard to their agreements as they would in other states by allowing judges to make decisions reflective of the original intent of employment contracts.
