GBAN Legislative Update – January 19, 2018
Legislative Calendar
This week, the Georgia General Assembly convened on Thursday and Friday for the 5th and 6th legislative days. Next week, the General Assembly will reconvene on Monday, January 22, 2018 and work through Thursday.
Political Affairs Update
On Tuesday, January 16, 2018, Senator-elect Brian Strickland and Representative-elect Geoffrey Cauble were sworn into office. The Georgia Chamber congratulates them on their elections and looks forward to working with them. On Thursday, January 18, 2018, Senator Brian Strickland was appointed to serve as a Governor’s Administration Floor Leader. The Georgia Chamber Political Affairs Council, Inc. (PAC) is continuing to support candidates for office who will champion business-friendly, job-creating initiatives. Your support of the PAC is essential as we work to keep Georgia the number one state in which to do business. To make a donation to the PAC, click here. For additional information regarding the Chamber’s Political Affairs Council, Inc., contact Chelsey Ruppersburg at cruppersburg@gachamber.com.
State of Tourism 2018
The Georgia Travel Association, an affiliate of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, invites you to join hospitality and tourism industry leaders, stakeholders, and elected officials at this year’s State of Tourism breakfast on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at the College Football Hall of Fame. Networking and coffee will be held from 6:45 a.m. – 7:30 a.m., followed by the program at 7:30 a.m. Featured guests and speakers include gubernatorial candidates Stacey Abrams, Casey Cagle, Stacey Evans, Hunter Hill, Brian Kemp, Clay Tippins, and Michael Williams. General admission prices are $55 per person, and $300 per table. Information regarding registration and hotel accommodations can be accessed on the Georgia Chamber Events website. Tickets are available for purchase through January 19, 2018. Immediately following breakfast, transportation will be available for all interested participants who wish to attend Tourism, Hospitality, and Arts Day at the State Capitol. For general questions or concerns, please contact Maddison Hendershot at mhendershot@gachamber.com.
State of Transportation
The inaugural State of Transportation Breakfast celebrates Georgia’s strong leadership and investment in transportation. Hosted by the Georgia Transportation Alliance, this year’s event will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at the Georgia Freight Railroad Depot. Networking and coffee will begin at 7:00 a.m., with breakfast scheduled to begin immediately after at 8:00 a.m. This year’s keynote speaker will be Governor Nathan Deal. General admission is $55 per person. For all questions, please contact Maddison Hendershot at mhendershot@gachamber.com. Registration can be completed on the Georgia Chamber’s website.
Changes to State Workforce Programs
During his State of the State address, Governor Deal announced several changes to the state’s workforce development programs. While details are not yet available, his plan is to transfer the Workforce Division from the Department of Economic Development to the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). Additionally, the customized recruitment office currently housed in the Department of Labor will also be moved to TCSG. Both changes are designed to bring the major state-led workforce development programs under one agency. The Georgia Chamber will continue to work with policymakers to enhance our ability to continue developing qualified talent to drive business recruitment and expansion throughout the state. Details regarding this policy shift can be accessed here.
Governor’s Amended FY2018- FY2019 Budget
This week, Governor Deal released the Amended Fiscal Year 2018 Budget and the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget. Governor Deal and each of his agency heads presented his budget recommendations before joint meetings of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Highlights included increased funding for workforce development, education, transportation and infrastructure. These recommendations will be considered by the legislature as they develop their own budget proposals over the course of the 2018 legislative session. To view the Governor’s budget recommendations and highlighted priorities in greater detail, click here.
Policy Committees
The Georgia Chamber provides engagement opportunities to our investors tailored to varying public policy areas. The organization’s policy committees create unique opportunities for members to connect with colleagues, and participate in examining immediate and emerging policies issues in the following areas:
- Talent and Leadership
- Innovation and Technology
- Business Climate
- Energy and Natural Resources
- Law and Judiciary
- Health and Wellness
For questions or for more information regarding Chamber Policy Committees or Councils, contact Daniela Perry or Jason O’Rouke at dperry@gachamber.com or jorouke@gachamber.com.
View all previous GBAN Legislative Updates, here.