2009 Policy Positions


The Georgia Industry Association seeks to promote public policies which:

 

  • Advance a strong economic climate for the manufacturing industry in Georgia and the U.S.

 

  • Promote an educated, skilled workforce supported by appropriate learning opportunities.

 

  • Provide for and maintain basic infrastructure (installations and facilities) necessary to support the manufacturing industry and prosperity across the state.

 

  • Create a balanced, fiscally sound, and responsive state environmental program.

 

 

 

Georgia Legislative Priorities:

 

1. Support legislation to provide state sales tax exemption for energy used in the manufacturing process.

 

2. Support passage of a Statewide Water Management Plan that supports reasonable economic activities while responsibly managing limited resources.

 

 

 

Federal Legislative Priorities:

 

1. Support legislation and actions which promote and protect fair trade.

 

2. Support legislation to reduce regulatory, environmental and structural costs on American manufacturing industry.

 

 

 

Georgia Policy Positions

 

 

Advocacy for the Manufacturing Industry

 

Philosophy: Aggressively promote Georgia manufacturing industry; highlight manufacturing as a key economic catalyst, and otherwise enhance Georgia's business climate for the manufacturing industry.

 

1. Promote appointment of an existing manufacturing industry champion/advocate to advance issues of importance to Georgia's existing industries.

 

2. Support programs that address the manufacturing industry's current and future workforce requirements.

 

3. Support actions that provide more usable incentives to manufacturers; oppose actions which disqualify any currently qualified manufacturing sectors from incentives or that reduce incentives currently available to existing manufacturers.

 

4. Support legislation to protect local economic development projects from premature public disclosure.

 

5. Support university-based innovation services to the manufacturing industry. 

 

 

 

Education & Workforce Development

 

Philosophy: Support educational excellence and reasonable, stable funding for pre-K through postsecondary and other educational programs necessary to develop an educated, skilled workforce supported by appropriate, lifelong learning opportunities.

 

1. Promote excellence in education attainment at all levels as a top priority for the state.

 

2. Support structuring educational programs to ensure a quality workforce for the future.

 

3. Provide existing industries equitable application of workforce training and development assistance provided by the state (DTAE, QuickStart, ICAAP, and other programs).

 

4. Support education reform and strengthening of educational programs, especially literacy, math, science, economics and work safety.

 

5. Establish seamless connection between K-12, post-secondary and Department of Economic Development for both strategic and traditional workforce infrastructures.

 

6. Support increased availability of the HOPE grant for Georgia technical college training.

 

7. Support development of more training programs for health care professionals.

 

 

 

Taxes and Revenues

 

Philosophy: Support equitable taxation for the manufacturing industry and public policies that stimulate investment and retain jobs within the state.

1. Support legislation to provide state sales tax exemption for energy used in the manufacturing process.

 

2. Support elimination or reduction of tax measures that reduce the competitiveness of Georgia's manufacturing industry.

 

3. Oppose any new taxes or increase in existing taxes that would negatively impact the manufacturing industry.

 

4. Support tax policies that encourage Georgia manufacturers to use Georgia vendors and suppliers.

 

5. Support expansion and use of environmental tax credits and provisions for the manufacturing industry to bank credits.