By: Sen. Ross Tolleson
ATLANTA (March 20, 2009) – With the final days of session counting down, the Senate is focused on passing common sense legislation to create jobs in Georgia and maintain a healthy environment. While the Federal government is working to throw more taxpayer dollars at bad investments, Georgia is creating true stimulus legislation. Government should create the environment for businesses to thrive and create jobs; not take over business to “rescue” a falling economy.
We will see economic recovery, but we have three options before us: wait for recovery, prolong it, or speed it up. We must do all we can to speed up economic recovery in Georgia and a less restrictive, constraining government will lead to a much faster recovery. I’m proud to stand with my Senate and House colleagues in presenting a true stimulus package that spends no taxpayer money and allows the market to immediately respond.
The Jobs, Opportunity, and Business Success Act (JOBS) of 2009 is a tax relief package that recognizes the people of our state as the driving economic force. House Bill 481 and 482 comprise the JOBS Act providing a new business filing fee holiday, a $500 credit towards the unemployment insurance tax for each eligible employee hired, a $2,400 income tax credit for each eligible employee hired, and the elimination of the sales tax deposit. The Act would also eliminate the state inventory tax on all Georgia businesses. This package creates an environment that makes Georgia attractive to new business startups as well as businesses seeking to expand in Georgia.
Georgia’s forests also provide opportunities for new jobs, an improved economy, and a healthier environment. Timberlands provide a great opportunity for biomass production for alternative energy. Georgia has 22.9 million non-Federal acres of Timberland. Recently, the State Senate Natural Resources Committee passed a resolution urging President Obama to recognize these non-Federal acres under the 2008 Farm Bill definition of biomass rather than the 2007 Energy Act. Under the Energy Act, only 7.4 million acres would be recognized and this severely impacts capabilities for new energy sources, new businesses and new forest growth. Washington must recognize the Farm Bill biomass definition.
Both the House and Senate recognized the need for businesses to voluntarily clean up hazardous waste from their property. Therefore, the General Assembly is working on the Georgia Voluntary Remediation Program Act which provides for voluntary and timely investigation and remediation of properties where there have been releases of regulated substances into the environment. This is good for business and good for the environment.
Sen. Ross Tolleson represents the 20th Senate District and serves as chairman of the Natural Resources and the Environment Committee. He may be reached at 404.656.0081 or ross.tolleson@senate.ga.gov. Sen. Tolleson represents Bleckley, Dodge, Houston, Johnson, Laurens, Pulaski, Telfair and Wilcox counties.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 20, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
raegan.weber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028