Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce

Special Election Results/Runoff Set for June 8
Former State Representative Tom Graves (Ranger) and former State Senator Lee Hawkins (Gainesville) will face each other in a runoff on June 8.  The two finished first and second, respectively, out of a field of eight candidates vying to replace Nathan Deal as the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 9th District.

In other special election races, Jason Carter (Decatur) was elected as the new State Senator for the 42nd District, Butch Miller (Chestnut Mountain) won the race for the 49th Senate District, and Rick Jasperse (Jasper) was elected to represent the 12th District of the State House.  The Georgia Chamber looks forward to working with these new members of the General Assembly.

Bill Signings
Governor Perdue signed HB1055 last week.  The bill, which played a key role in legislators' ability to pass a balanced budget, includes both tax and fee increases and tax cuts, including the much-debated 1.45% hospital provider tax, increased user fees for a number of state services, and the elimination of the state's portion of the property tax.  It also eliminates the state tax on investment income for those 65 and older.  Both tax cuts will be phased in between now and 2016.  Governor Perdue has also signed the amended budget for 2010.  He has until June 8 to sign or veto legislation passed this year.

Federal Update
Congress continues to debate financial regulatory reform measures.  Businesses of all sizes and industries could potentially be affected by proposed regulations on banks, financial institutions, and any company that accepts credit, offers layaway, or provides payment plans.  In addition, access to credit would likely be restricted, threatening our economic recovery.  The Obama administration and Congressional leaders have indicated that they would like to see a bill passed by Memorial Day.  This would require final action by the U.S. Senate and then reconciliation with the U.S. House.

Democratic Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman introduced a new climate change bill this week - the American Power Act - in a press conference that included both business and environmental leaders but has yet to receive Republican support.  The Georgia Chamber will be watching this bill closely and working to understand the impact of this legislation on Georgians.