Governmental Affairs

As the leading business organization in our community, the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce serves as the voice of local business in matters of government. While we do not take formal positions for or against specific legislation, we actively engage with elected officials to ensure they are informed of the priorities and concerns of our business community.  We closely monitor critical issues impacting the business climate and keep our members informed about relevant legislative developments. We also provide opportunities for members to engage directly with the policymaking process.

The Conyers-Rockdale Chamber maintains a strong partnership with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, whose Government Affairs team includes experienced policy experts and lobbyists. Each year, we host a roundtable meeting with their team to gain insight into the key issues expected to come before the legislature and to share local perspectives that can help inform statewide advocacy efforts.  Following this meeting, our Chamber develops a set of local legislative priorities, which are shared with our elected officials prior to the start of the Georgia General Assembly’s Legislative Session. During the session, our members receive weekly updates highlighting relevant activity and opportunities for engagement.  After the session concludes, we host a Legislative Breakfast featuring our local delegation and representatives from the Georgia Chamber to review outcomes, share insights, and continue building productive relationships between business and government.

2025 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.
• Support investing in broadband infrastructure to connect all Georgians to the internet.

Local Government:

• Maintain the authority of the local governing authorities by opposing any legislation that attempts to override Home Rule and by protecting local control.

Health Care:

• Continue to support our local hospital in their legislative priority areas, which include:  Healthcare Access, Common-Sense Certificate of Need Reform, Ensuring Network Adequacy and Stopping Network Disruption, Adequate Reimbursement for Hospitals and Meaningful Control of Healthcare Costs through a Better Legal Environment.

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 investing in energy infrastructure to support the transition to a clean energy economy.