In a normal year the Georgia Chamber’s “Eggs and Issues” program serves as a bellwether for the legislative session ahead. This year, gone fully virtual, the program was a bit muted as lawmakers kept their cards close to the vest, perhaps unsurprising given the current political climate.
“I’m not sure that during the middle of a pandemic is the best time to undertake substantial changes,” sad Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), pointing to a legislative session that will be about maintaining stability and looking ahead rather than shaking things up. In that vein none of the main speakers – Gov. Brian Kemp, Lt. Gov,. Geoff Duncan, and Ralston – hit much on the issue of election security, which was the topic du jour heading into the session.
Instead, the key priority seems to be getting the budget settled straight away, particularly with looming concerns over COVID-19 that have already sent some legislators home early. “We need to get an amended budget out there fairly soon at least to keep the state open through the end of June,” said Ralston.
Kemp and Duncan, appropriately given the virtual nature of the program, emphasized the need to continue to expand rural broadband, an issue that has taken on heightened importance in a post-pandemic society. Duncan also hit on the need to continue to support the state’s freight and logistics industries, a key focus of his legislative agenda in his first two years in office.
Georgians will learn much more specifically where Kemp’s priorities lie tomorrow when he gives his annual “State of the State” address.
As for the Chamber itself CEO Chris Clark and 2021 Board Chair and President of Aflac U.S. Teresa White introduced their legislative priorities, which will focus on economic recovery, helping rural Georgians, investing in transportation infrastructure, and increasing access to healthcare. Pretty boilerplate stuff, it remains to be seen which specific parts of that broad platform the chamber will prioritize in what could be a relatively slow moving session.
One issue that the Chamber did not mention but that figures to play a significant role in coming weeks is the legalization of online sports betting. Sources tell IAG that with the state desperate for additional revenue streams and all four of Atlanta’s pro sports teams lined up behind it, sports betting stands a good chance of finally passing in 2021.
The Chamber is also opening a new field office in Brunswick, its second regional office after the Center for Rural Prosperity in Tifton.
