About the Chamber
Chamber Positions
2007 Legislative Agenda
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Support Legislation to Authorize Regional
Transportation Sales Tax Initiatives
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.
The South Fulton Chamber supports legislation
to authorize counties to form partnerships to conduct regional
transportation sales tax initiatives.
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Support an Economic Development Toolkit
that is Targeted to Sectors & More Flexible
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 South Fulton Chamber 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 the Metro North Georgia Water
Planning District’s Funding Request for $400,000
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 South Fulton Chamber supports the Metro
North Georgia Water Planning District’s budget request of
$400,000 in the 2008 state budget.
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