ATLANTA (May 22, 2012) – Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) has received the highest ranking given on the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Honor Roll. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce released its 2012 Legislative Scorecard on Monday. The scorecard reflects an overall grade on how House and Senate members voted during the 2011 and 2012 legislative sessions on business-friendly measures. Rogers was one of only 9 members out of the 236 members of the General Assembly to earn a perfect score in both 2011 and 2012.
“Creating jobs is the single most important issue facing Georgia today. Working to make sure Georgia is recognized as the most job-friendly, entrepreneur-friendly, and investment-friendly state is at the heart of what I and the Chamber of Commerce want to see happen,” said Sen. Rogers. “Government must be a bridge, not a barrier, for economic development, education reform and industry growth; these are the key pieces to bringing substantial businesses and lasting jobs to our communities. I look forward to continuing working with every organization that wants to grow Georgia’s economy, especially the Georgia chamber.”
Throughout the 2012 Georgia General Assembly session, legislators addressed a number of issues important to the state’s business community. Legislation deemed most important to enhancing Georgia’s economic competitiveness through education, economic development, business and industry, and judiciary reform were designated as scorecard issues by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Council and are included in this year’s Legislative Scorecard. Each legislator’s grade, given by the Georgia Chamber, reflects an assessment of his or her support for business community priorities.
“The A+ grade given by the Georgia Chamber to Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers reflects an unwavering commitment to bringing jobs, investment and long-term economic growth to Georgia,” said Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark. “Without question, he is a true champion of the state’s business community and we are tremendously grateful to have such a strong voice at the Capitol working to strengthen Georgia’s pro-business climate and help companies across the state effectively compete in the global marketplace.”
House Resolution 1162, an education reform initiative, was also placed at the top of the chambers priority list for the 2012 Legislative Session. Rogers, a true champion for education reform, served as the Senate sponsor for HR 1162. This important piece of legislation reasserts the state’s role in public education that was strip by the Georgia Supreme Court in May of 2011 with a controversial 4-3 vote invalidating the General Assembly’s creation of an alternative authorizer for charter schools. HR 1162 defines a state charter school in the state Constitution, provides that a state charter schools only be public, nonsectarian, nonreligious, and nonprofit, and regulates that the state is not allowed to lower extra funding to the local districts when a student leaves for a state charter school. As a Constitutional Amendment, HR 1162 will be placed on the ballot for a vote by Georgia citizens.
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Sen. Chip Rogers serves as Senate Majority Leader. He represents the 21st Senate District, which includes portions of Cherokee and Cobb counties. He can be reached at 404.463.1378 or by email at chip.rogers@senate.ga.gov.