Affordable Health Insurance:
Create insurance products that provide incentives to reward healthy lifestyles similar to premium discounts for good drivers. Establish a "Georgia Healthcare Innovations Fund" to initiate a statewide wellness pilot program for self-insured employers and community partnerships. The pilot program will showcase "Best Practices" in prevention, disease management, technology, incentives and consumer education. Evidence-based guidelines that demonstrate a return on investment will substantiate prototype designs for fully-insured products.
Tax Reform:
The Chamber supports tax policy that creates a fair, pro-business tax climate in Georgia and which respects the importance of local control and accountability for raising and spending our tax dollars. We will monitor and keep our members informed on various tax reform proposals as they take shape in the 2008 legislative session.
Alternative Energy:
Support legislation implementing public policies that emphasize: (1) energy efficiency and conservation, (2) conversion to more environmentally friendly forms of energy generation, including nuclear, (3) research and development of alternative energy and bio-fuels. With a strong agricultural base, progressive business environment, and cutting edge research at its colleges and universities, Georgia is positioned to be a leader in the development of environmentally sensitive alternative energy.
State Sales Tax Exemption on Energy for Manufacturing:
Provide an exemption with respect to State (not local) sales and use tax for the cost of energy (natural or artificial gas, electricity, or any other energy) used directly in the production of manufactured goods.
Water:
Support the legislation creating the Statewide Comprehensive Water Management Plan with emphasis on continued data collection, appropriate funding for proposed regional water planning districts and equitable consideration to municipal, agriculture and industrial users throughout the state. Retention, storage and reuse of water must be evaluated along with conservation. Economic impact studies must be carried out in conjunction with environmental impact.
Renewal of Sales Tax Holiday:
Provide a sales tax holiday at the beginning of the school year that would exempt sales tax on back-to-school items. The exemption would last at least four days, with consideration of extending the duration and moving the exemption to July for 2008. An additional sales tax holiday would exempt tax on energy efficient products for at least four days in 2008.
State Tax Exemption on Passive Retirement Income:
Support legislation to exempt passive retirement income as a means of encouraging the “Boomer Generation” to settle in Georgia. With our position in the Southeast, mild climate, and affordable housing, this additional incentive will make our state an attractive option to neighboring competitors.
Business Owner’s Property Rights:
Oppose legislation that would weaken private property owner rights.
Protecting our Economic Engines:
The Chamber supports legislation that will benefit our educational facilities, Valdosta Technical College and Valdosta State University. The Chamber also supports legislation benefiting South Georgia Medical Center and Moody AFB.
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