|
The Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee is in the process of developing their legislative agenda for 2005. The agenda will address areas of concern to the Chamber membership on the local, state, and federal levels. There will be some unique challenges next year and we need your input. Here is a preview of some of these challenges.
Local-The Columbus Consolidated Government is facing some tough decisions due to the defeat of the one cent local option sales tax. We will continue to monitor local developments from the business perspective.
State-For the first time since reconstruction, the governor’s office and both houses of the legislature will be controlled by the Republican Party. It is anticipated that there will be major changes in the legislative process. We will be a presence in the General Assembly and provide periodic reports to the membership. One issue that will receive serious consideration is civil justice reform. Your Chamber has taken a stance in favor of meaningful tort reform and we will aggressively support this issue.
Federal-The Republican Party has added to its majority. This also gives more momentum to the civil justice reform issue and we will also support this issue in Washington. We also anticipate new initiatives in education, immigration, and social security as President Bush begins his second term.
The purpose of this newsletter is to provide our members an opportunity to participate in finalizing our agenda. If there are issues of concern to your business or industry group please let us know. You can be assured your issues will be discussed and seriously considered in the final legislative agenda. Please respond to Harold Bryant, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, at hbryant@columbusgachamber.com.
|
