Georgia Chamber Insight: Mike Huckabee to Headline Annual Meeting Dinner
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Top Stories
Dates to Remember
Huckabee to be Featured Speaker At Annual Meeting Dinner
Federal Issues Update: Health Care and Climate Change
Become a Member of GBAN and Stay Informed about Federal and State Issues
The Georgia Chamber is Now on Twitter and Facebook
Georgia Employers' Association to Host Seminar Following Eggs & Issues Breakfast
Is Your Business Prepared for a Flu Pandemic?
Dates to Remember December 9 & 10: Government Affairs Council Meeting Legacy Lodge and Conference Center, Lake Lanier
December 15: Terry College of Business Economic Outlook Tour Kickoff Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta Website
January 11, 2010: Annual Meeting Dinner Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta Website
January 12, 2010: Eggs and Issues Breakfast Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta Website
Huckabee to be the Featured Speaker at Annual Meeting Dinner The Georgia Chamber is excited to announce former Arkansas governor and top-rated weekend television host Mike Huckabee will be the featured speaker at the Annual Meeting Dinner on January 11, 2010. Huckabee's good-natured personality, coupled with his knowledge of issues important to the business community, promises to make the Annual Meeting Dinner a don't miss event!
The morning after the Annual Meeting Dinner brings our popular Eggs & Issues Breakfast - your chance to hear what's on tap for the upcoming legislative session. Governor Perdue, Lt. Governor Cagle, Speaker of the House Richardson have all been invited to speak at this event.
To purchase tickets/tables for the Annual Meeting Dinner or Eggs and Issues Breakfast, click here.
Federal Issues Update Three bills that have a strong influence on business are currently working their way through Congress. Read below for an update on health care, climate change and financial services:
Health Care: Despite strong bipartisan opposition and unfavorable public opinion, House Democrats on Nov. 7 pushed a 2,000-page assault on the U.S. health care system through the lower chamber.
The so-called "Affordable Health Care for America Act" -- including a controversial new government-run health plan, new taxes on employers and employees, and a host of new mandates and regulations -- passed by a slim 220-215 margin. Georgia Reps. John Barrow, Paul Broun, Nathan Deal, Phil Gingrey, Jack Kingston, John Linder, Jim Marshall, Tom Price and Lynn Westmoreland voted against the bill; Reps. Sanford Bishop, Hank Johnson, John Lewis and David Scott voted for it.
Senate Democrats are attempting to pass their own version of the bill by Thanksgiving and hope to resolve the two versions by year-end.
Climate Change: Comprehensive climate change legislation continues to move through Congress, with the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passing its version on Nov. 5.
The "Clean Jobs and American Power Act," also known as the Kerry-Boxer bill, includes a carbon trading scheme similar to the Waxman-Markey bill narrowly passed by the House earlier this year, but with even stricter emissions regulations. It was approved by the committee's Democrats by an 11-1 margin; Republicans boycotted the vote in protest. Neither Georgia senator serves on the committee.
The bill will now be merged with legislation from several other committees; the Senate is not expected to take a final vote until 2010.
Financial Services: The Senate Banking Committee on Nov. 10 introduced its version of legislation that would impose draconian regulations on financial services firms in the name of consumer protection.
As noted in prior Georgia Chamber updates, the bill would create a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency with broad powers to regulate nearly all facets of consumer borrowing, including credit cards, mortgages and other loans. The House Financial Services Committee approved a nearly identical version of the bill by a 39-29 party-line vote on Oct. 22; Georgia Rep. David Scott voted in favor while Rep. Tom Price voted against it.
President Obama has asked Congress to put a bill on his desk by the end of the year.
For more information on the costs and impact of this legislation, click here to see the Georgia Chamber's Oct. 20 federal issues update.
Become a Member of GBAN and Stay Informed about Federal and State Issues The Georgia Business Action Network (GBAN) is a great way to stay informed about the many federal and state issues that could have a strong impact on the business community - and with the upcoming legislative session approaching, now is the time to become a member!
GBAN, the Georgia Chamber's grassroots effort, was created to enhance our efforts to ensure Georgia is a place where business will grow and flourish. Members of GBAN receive alerts, updates, and calls-to-action throughout the year about issues important to the business community.
Becoming a member of GBAN helps make sure the voice of business is heard. To find out more information about GBAN and to sign up, visit www.gachamber.com/GBAN.
The Georgia Chamber is Now on Twitter and Facebook Receive the most up-to-date Georgia Chamber news by following us on Twitter and becoming a fan of the Georgia Chamber on Facebook! Our new social media accounts will allow us to move important information to our members quickly - a valuable benefit as the State of Georgia legislature begins its session in January.
Follow us on Twitter! @gachamber
Are you a member of the Georgia Business Action Network? Follow GBAN on Twitter! @gabusiness
Become a fan on Facebook by typing "Georgia Chamber of Commerce" in the search box!
Georgia Employers' Association to Host Seminar Following Eggs & Issues Breakfast The Georgia Employers' Association will host its fifth-consecutive executive update seminar following the Georgia Chamber's annual Eggs & Issues breakfast on January 12. This year's seminar will begin at 9:45 a.m. and run until 12:15 p.m., with a focus on preparing for the challenges and changes in 2010.
Click here for more information about this seminar.
Is Your Business Prepared for a Flu Pandemic? Do you have a plan in the event of a flu pandemic? How will you continue your day-to-day business operations, staff your business and maintain business relations if key employees, vendors and customers are sick?
Georgia Chamber member Fisher and Phillips, LLP, has developed a checklist for your business to help you prepare for such an emergency. To view the checklist, click here.
Send Your News to the Georgia Chamber Do you have good news to share about your business? Please contact Jennifer Yarber at 404.223.2272 or jyarber@gachamber.com with your news topics for inclusion in an upcoming newsletter.
