Cobb Chamber of Commerce

Cobb Chamber of Commerce 2011 Legislative Agenda 

KEY ISSUES 

• 2011 Cobb Chamber Legislative Priorities Economic Development
• Pro-active efforts to increase Georgia’s competitiveness for jobs and economic investment. Enhanced incentives package from the state for new and existing business. 
• Support legislation permitting a fractional penny SPLOST for economic development purposes. 
• Support for Savannah Harbor Expansion Project.
  
  

Transportation

• Sustainable funding source for all modes of transportation in order to meet long-term needs or our state and region. 
• Legislation to address fractional penny capabilities for local T-SPLOST.
  
  

Healthcare

• Sustainable funding source for trauma care network.
• Employers remaining the primary providers of quality health care benefits with more flexibility and fewer legislative mandates, in order to meet employee needs. 
• Reforms to state employee health insurance plans allowing for greater government efficiency and competition among providers.

Education

• Innovative measures to reduce the cuts in Public Education funding. 
• Reinstate full funding Technical College dual enrollment program
• Local funding options for public education. 
• Legislation to address fractional penny capabilities for local E-SPLOST. 
• Full support for continuation and strengthening of HOPE Scholarship Program. 
• Support of our Technical College and Universities on funding priorities.
  
  

Taxes

• Support legislation allowing local governments innovative options for methods of sales tax collection. Greater efficiency, accuracy and accountability are found at the local level. 
• Continued reforms to ensure Georgia is the most attractive state in which to do business.
  
  

Environment

• Oppose further restrictions or bans on interbasin transfers.
• Continued expansion and construction of water reservoirs. 
• EPD application and permit fee structure improvements.
  
  

   The Cobb Chamber of Commerce serves as a policy advocate for its members on legislative and regulatory matters important to business. Unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise, the Chamber will avoid intervention in narrow issues of an intra-industry nature or issues where multiple members have competing interests. If the Chamber determines an issue does have implications for business in general and there is a compelling need to intervene over the objections of other members, it will first attempt to draft a position statement by consensus before intervening.

    Click here to view the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislative Agenda.