RBC 2007 Legislative Agenda

The 2007 session was a very active and involved one. The Regional Business Coalition joined 30+ organizations to advocate for HB 434 - Regional Transportation Solution. Although the bill didn't make it to a vote, it brought the transportation crisis to the forefront and increased awareness, which created a Joint House-Senate Study Committee devoted to exploring solutions for this crisis. The RBC focused on the following issues:

Click on links below for bill summaries:

• Support Legislation to Authorize Regional Transportation Sales Tax Initiatives
• Support an Economic Development Toolkit that is Targeted to Sectors & More Flexible
• Support the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District's Funding Request for $400,000

Click here for a printable copy.

Traffic congestion in metro Atlanta and other regions of Georgia is hurting our quality of life and ability to compete for jobs. However, funding for transportation from federal and state sources is declining in real terms while the cost of building infrastructure is increasing. Allowing local governments to band together to fund transportation solutions through regional sales tax referendums is a concept that has proven successful in other states.  A clear sunset provision, a listing of projects to be funded and a citizens’ oversight panel have been key elements of those regional referendums. Such an approach would allow every region in Georgia to determine what their priorities are based on their needs and to ensure accountability to local voters.

• HB 434
• Capitol Report Vol.3 No. 6
• White Paper
• Fact Sheet
• Press Release
  

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Support an Economic Development Toolkit that is Targeted to Sectors & More Flexible

RBC Position:   Support
Final Result:     No Economic Development Legislation moved of any kind in 2007

In the world of economic development, metro Atlanta competes for projects and jobs with regions of similar size such as Houston and Charlotte.  The state’s economic development incentive legislation should recognize this fact and offer something for every region of Georgia.  Streamlining the headquarters tax credit, targeting BEST incentives to strategic industry clusters, allowing tax credits to be used against payroll withholding taxes and providing funding for the metro region’s deal-closing fund at a level similar to what other regions around the state receive are all important steps to making the entire state an attractive place to locate jobs.

The Regional Business Coalition supports changes to the BEST legislation that gives metro Atlanta the ability to compete with other regions around the country.

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Support for Metro North Georgia Water Planning District's Funding Request for $400,000

RBC Position:   Support
Final Result:     $150,000 already in continued budget, House and Senate looking to add funding into the 2009 budget

The Metro North Georgia Water Planning District is required to update the regional plans to secure the region’s water supply and quality every five years. That update must be performed this year and the District has requested $400,000 in the 2008 state budget in support of this.

The Regional Business Coalition supports the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District’s budget request of $400,000 in the 2008 state budget.

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