Governmental Affairs

The Chamber is the voice for your business in government. We actively develop and promote policy positions on critical issues impacting the business community, as well as continuously assert our role as the leading business organization in the community on your behalf on all levels of government. The Chamber’s Government Affairs promotes policy priorities that support the expansion of business and protects employers.

A fundamental component of the Chamber’s mission is to advocate the views of the business community to our elected officials. This is done by engaging elected officials in meaningful policy discussions on your behalf. Our Government Affairs Committee is a dynamic volunteer committee of Chamber leaders who guide the Chamber in its public policy positions.

The Chamber’s legislative and policy priorities are developed by its Governmental Affairs Committee. This committee analyzes issues and makes determinations that guide the Chamber’s positioning on matters to promote fiscal responsibility at the state and local government levels, improve our education system, and strengthen the business environment and economy in our community.

Are you interested in serving on the Governmental Affairs Committee? If so, please contact the Chamber office by email at stephaniem@conyers-rockdale.com or by phone at 770-483-7049.

Legislative Priorities

Education:

• Maintain the authority of the local Board of Education by opposing any legislation that attempts to override the constitutional authority of the locally elected Board of Education.
• Support fully funding QBE formula until such time a viable reformed funding formula is adopted.
• Oppose vouchers, tax credits, and all other legislation which reduces state funding of public schools.
• Provide additional funding for teacher pay raises.

Health Care:

• Support continuing elimination of fraud and waste in existing government plans like Medicare, Medicaid and /or PeachCare.

Prevention & Wellness:

• Support voluntary prevention and wellness initiatives that create cost savings for employers, employees and providers.

Transportation:

• Improve Georgia’s infrastructure through maximizing current revenue sources and increasing overall funding for transportation.

Economic Development:

• Support incentives that will continue to attract and grow the film industry to Georgia.
• Support ongoing examination of current tax base, tax rates and compliance requirement to ensure a Georgia business environment that is fair and competitive.
• Identify and support ways to increase access to job training skills and the Technical College System of Georgia for our workforce.
• Identify and support ways to provide real/financial incentives to smaller companies/projects in the state. Those projects that would come in at less than 10 million dollars in investment.

General Business:

• Seek and support legislation that provides stiffer penalties to include restitution and mandatory jail time for Identity Theft.
• Support market-driven healthcare which will reduce the cost of insurance to employers. Allow employers to shop health care insurance across state boarders that will provide adequate healthcare coverage and rein in costs for business owners.
• Support incentives that would allow business to provide medical benefits to employees.
• Support voluntary prevention and wellness in schools and business to assist in creating lifelong positive physical and mental health habits.