Loading...Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislative Update
With only three working days left in this year's legislative session - there are a number of issues yet to be resolved at the State Capitol. Of particular interest to Georgia Chamber members are:
Transportation
The Senate and House have proposed different approaches to both transportation funding and governance. The Georgia Chamber believes that both are important if we are going to fully address our state's growing transportation needs. While we are hopeful that consensus will be reached, nothing is certain until the final votes are held.
Don't let another year go by without this critical issue being resolved. Please contact your senators and representatives TODAY to let them know how important transportation improvements are to the business community. Click HERE for contact information.
Trauma Care
Senate Bill 277 (Senator Greg Goggans, Douglas) would provide an estimated $80 million each year for trauma care through a $10 vehicle tag fee. This bill passed overwhelmingly in the Senate and will hopefully be taken up by the House next week.
Please contact your representatives TODAY and let them know the business community supports this new dedicated funding source to expand our state's critically needed trauma care network. Click HERE for contact information.
Other Key Issues
- The JOBS Act, which would implement a number of key tax reforms, including the phase-out of the corporate income tax and elimination of the state portion of the inventory tax, overwhelmingly passed the Senate.
- Changes to the BEST Act, including tax credits for higher paying jobs, employee retraining, and imports and exports through Georgia's ports, await action by the Senate.
- Education reforms, including school board governance, incentives for high performance, and programs that provide important options to high school students all await final approval.
- Current versions of the budget as approved by the House and Senate do not cut current Medicaid reimbursement rates for health care providers. The Georgia Chamber is hopeful that this will remain the case.
For links to legislators and legislation moving through this year's session of the General Assembly, visit www.gachamber.com and click on Government Affairs.
