Following each year’s legislative session, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Council (GAC) recognizes certain legislators for the fealty to the goals of pro-growth and job creation-friendly policy. This year’s honorees were Senator Jeff Mullis (R- 53 Chickamauga) and Representatives John Meadows (R- 5 Calhoun) and Beth Beskin (R- 54 Atlanta).
Mullis was elected to the state senate in 2000 and is currently the Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, Chairman of the Economic Development Subcommittee of Senate Appropriations and a member of the Banking and Financial Institutions, Economic Development and Appropriations Committees. He was born and raised in Chickamuga and is the Executive Director of the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority. Senator Johnny Isakson has called Mullis “one of the finest public servants I know.” Mullis was honored by the Chamber for being a champion for the business community both in his voting and behind the scenes. Elizabeth Chandler, GAC Chairwoman, said “Senator Mullis has carried Chamber-supported legislation many times and we are fortunate to have him as Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee.” Mullis scored an “A” on the Chamber’s legislative scorecard with the only vote of disagreement with the Chamber being over the Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination Act, a bill called “a solution in search of a problem that no longer exists” by the Chamber.
Rep. Meadows, Mullis’ mate as Chairman of the House Rules Committee, is the former 13 year mayor of Calhoun. In addition to the rules committee, he is also on the Governmental Affairs, Industry and Labor, Insurance, Retirement and Game, Fish & Parks Committees. Elected in 2004, his career background is in insurance and a former Marine. He has been a member of the Society of CLU, CHFC and NAIFA, as well as a term as President of the Georgia Municipal Association. Meadows scored an A+ on his scorecard with no negative points.
Freshman legislator Beskin also scored an A+ on her scorecard and has, according to the Chamber, “quickly asserted herself as the leading champion on the House Judiciary Committee for common-sense, pro-business civil justice legislation.” Beskin is an attorney practicing family law and estate planning. Likely uncommon amongst the legislative branch, she is a former geologist. Beskin has been active in the Atlanta community, including with the Junior League and her local neighborhood association. Despite her A+, she did have a vote against the Chamber position on the Uninsured Motorist Coverage bill but offered a positive amendment which earned her a thumbs up on the scorecard.
Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark was appreciative of the three’s efforts. “I would like to thank our state legislators for their leadership and support of legislation that will continue to create jobs, improve the quality of life, and promote economic growth for the State of Georgia. As we continue our mission of leading the nation as the number one state for business we need our leaders now more than ever to continue to support pro-business polices.”
