RBC 2006 Legislative Agenda

The 2006 Session was a positive one for the metro Atlanta region. The Regional Business Coalition’s number one priority, the Telework Tax Credit, was passed by conference committee report late Thursday evening in the Senate.  The House had passed the language earlier that afternoon. 

The Session was also notable for the legislation that did not pass.  Bills to require the metro WaterPlanning District to adopt a one size fits all approach on replacing inefficient fixtures and to restrict interbasin transfers were defeated.  A bill that would have placed new hurdles in the way of commuter rail was defeated as well.

The Regional Business Coalition's 2006 Legislative Agenda was:

• Support Tax Credit for Teleworking
• Support Funding NASCAR Hall of Fame
• Oppose Efforts to Ban Interbasin Transfers Water Planning District

Support an Income Tax Credit for Companies that Participate in Teleworking

House Bill 194 provides employers a one-time tax credit of up to $1500 for each employee participating in teleworking for expenses associated with setting up a home office such as computers, modems, and other related expenses. The legislation also allows for a one-time tax credit of up to $40,000 per company for costs associated with the implementation of a teleworking program.

The Regional Business Coalition supports incentives to encourage teleworking and other transportation alternatives that relieve congestion.

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Support Funding of the State Incentive Package for the NASCAR Hall of Fame

NASCAR is currently reviewing sites for a NASCAR Hall of Fame.  The State of Georgia has pledged $25 million in incentives to go along with $5 million in incentives from the City of Atlanta to help bring the Hall of Fame to Atlanta. The Hall of Fame is expected to generate    approximately $100 million in economic activity per year for the region if it is built here.  If   Atlanta is awarded the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the state would need to fund its share of the incentive package in the annual appropriations process.

The Regional Business Coalition supports state incentive packages for projects with regional economic impact.

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Oppose Efforts to Ban Interbasin Transfers in the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District

Recent sessions of the General Assembly have witnessed attempts to amend state law to ban the use of interbasin transfers as a water management tool. Most of the counties in the metropolitan region are located in two or more watersheds and currently engage in interbasin transfers in some respect. Banning interbasin transfers would require local governments to perform an expensive reworking of infrastructure to serve their residents.

The Regional Business Coalition opposes efforts to ban the use of interbasin transfers as a water management tool in the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District.


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