Make plans to attend Georgia Chamber of Commerce Business Day at the Capitol on Thursday, February 26th, beginning with a light breakfast at 8:30 at the Georgia Freight Depot. Governor Sonny Perdue, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle, Speaker Glenn Richardson and legislators from throughout the state have been invited to attend. For more information, email businessday@gachamber.com.
For links to legislators and the legislation mentioned in this update, visit www.gachamber.com and click on Government Affairs.Transportation
SR44 and SB39, a statewide plan that would allow Georgians to form local regions that could vote to fund transportation projects, were passed by an overwhelming margin in the State Senate on Tuesday, February 3. An alternative proposal, HB277 and HR207, was introduced in the House this week by Representative Vance Smith (R-Pine Mountain), calling for a statewide funding mechanism to meet the state's transportation needs. A third proposal, SR90, has also been introduced by Senators Steve Thompson (D-Marietta), Doug Stoner (D-Smyrna) and Emmanuel Jones (D-Decatur). The Georgia Chamber will continue to work with leaders in both the Senate and House to ensure that any measure that passes will meet the needs of the entire state.
Health Care
Two pieces of legislation have been introduced to raise funds for a statewide trauma care network. HB160 by Representative Jim Cole (R-Forsyth) would increase fines on "super speeders" and is estimated to raise $23 million annually. While this legislation is not opposed by the Georgia Chamber, there is concern that this approach alone will not provide enough funding and is not a dedicated source to meet current or future needs. HB 148 by Representative Austin Scott (R-Tifton), which is SUPPORTED by the Georgia Chamber, would establish a $10 vehicle tag fee that is estimated to raise $80 million annually - enough to adequately fund an effective trauma care network. Additional proposals to fund trauma care, including a fee on all telephone lines, are also being considered.
Education
Governor Perdue has introduced SB84, which includes a number of the recommendations made by the Commission on School Board Excellence such as the clarification of roles and responsibilities, defined qualifications and training requirements for school board members. The Senate Education Committee will hold a hearing on the bill this week.
Legal Reform
The Georgia Chamber SUPPORTS HB200 and SB23. These bills, introduced by Representative Harry Geisinger (R-Roswell) and Senator Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), respectively, would change state law so that failure to wear a seatbelt in a passenger vehicle would be admissible as evidence in a court of law.
Taxation
HR1, which would cap property tax assessments, passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee and will soon be voted on by the full House. The Georgia Chamber is watching this bill closely to make sure that commercial and residential properties receive equal protection.
Policy Committee Members Named
Through the Georgia Initiative, the Georgia Chamber has created nine committees that focus on developing the policies that are used by the Government Affairs Council to determine what position will be taken on specific legislation.
Click here to see the list of policy committee members who have agreed to serve in 2009.
