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We need your
input |
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The Governmental Affairs Department of your Chamber is committed to
representing the interests of the Columbus business community. In order to do
this properly we need your opinions and recommendations.
Please take two
minutes, click on the checkbox,  and give us your opinion on four key issues.
Thank
you for your participation.
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Useful
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About
This Newsletter |
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Thank
you for subscribing to the Governmental Issues Update. You are
receiving this e-mail as a member benefit of the Greater
Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Please forward any
comments, suggestions, or requests to unsubscribe, to Harold
Bryant at 706-327-1566, ext. 35.
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Other
Chamber Newsletters |
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Chamber
Express
What is going on with the Chamber and it's members.
CCAA
Marquee Flash
Articles and information from the Columbus Cultural Arts
Alliance
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Meeting with
Congressman Roy Blunt
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| U. S. House of Representatives Majority Whip, Congressman Roy Blunt visited Columbus on Aug. 5. Blunt said, “I Don’t think that I have ever been in a Chamber facility as nice as this one.” |
A packed Saunders Boardroom of chamber members gathered to
meet U. S. House of Representatives Majority Whip Congressman Roy Blunt on
Aug. 5. The Majority Whip is the third ranking member of the House of
Representatives and is responsible for mobilizing the vote on key
legislative initiatives, keeping members informed, and coordinating strategy
in the House.
Congressman Blunt was in Columbus as the guest of
Congressman Lynn Westmoreland and spent almost two hours at the Chamber. In
his prepared remarks and the question and answer session Blunt addressed
such important topics as small business needs, social security,
transportation including Interstate I-14, and the marshalling yards. He
voiced encouraging remarks as Congressman Westmoreland laid out a convincing
argument for appropriations to complete a study for the relocation of the
rail marshalling yards.
It is not often that a city the size of Columbus has an
opportunity to share its agenda with a very senior member of Congress. We
appreciate Congressman Lynn Westmoreland making this opportunity possible.
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Tri-Care meeting held at the Chamber
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Congressman Westmoreland was back at the Chamber to meet with healthcare
executives from around the state to discuss the TRICARE healthcare delivery
system Aug. 9. TRICARE, formerly known as CHAMPUS, is the system used by active
and retired members of the military and their dependants to gain access to the
medical services offered by civilian providers of care. The meeting was hosted
by the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce's Healthcare Committee
chaired by Don Avery.
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| Congressman Lynn Westmoreland introduced the
discussion on the TRICARE program in the meeting held at the Greater
Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce Aug. 9. |
The discussion was focused on the financial and administrative issues
associated with the TRICARE program. Also attending were representatives from
Humana, the program administrator and Colonel Ed LeBlanc, Chief of the Clinical
Operations Division, of the TRICARE Regional Office. The meeting featured a
lively dialog on the issues involved and a commitment by Humana to address the
issues and be prepared to discuss them at a subsequent meeting. The follow-up
meeting should be held in the next 60 days.
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Legislative
Express
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Each year the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of
Commerce hosts the Legislative Express, a gala event held to honor
our federal, state and local elected officials. Mark your
calendar-this year's event will be held October 18, 6:00-9:00
p.m., at the Chamber, 1200 6th Avenue.
Sponsorships are now available!
The price of the sponsorships of the event has been reduced to
allow more small business members to participate. This event gives
us the opportunity to express appreciation to those elected
officials who give their time and talent to make the Columbus
region a better place to live, work and play!
Legislative highlights of 2005 include:
- Senate Bill 3, the comprehensive tort reform
package was passed. This important legislation is designed to
help control exposure to excessive judgments against
businesses and healthcare providers.
- Senate Bill 19-Increases the chances of
getting a fair decision regarding certification of a class.
Having the class certification resolved on the front end of a
class action case should save significant discovery related
expenses for all parties involved.
- House Bill 282-Provides tax incentives to
business to encourage continued growth.
- House Bill 389-Creates a designation for
counties in less developed areas of the state to offer
business tax credits to help attract and retain small
business.
- Senate Bill 174-Offers employees choice
between a fully mandated health insurance program and a less
costly plan with fewer mandates. SB 174 allows more small
business employees the opportunity to choose which type of
healthcare coverage best suits their individual needs and
affordability.
The business and healthcare communities owe a
great deal of gratitude to all of our elected officials who
supported these and several other business-friendly laws.
Don't miss this opportunity to support the
Legislative Express and join us in making this night an event to
remember! Click
here for a sponsorship form.
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