On Friday, April 25th, Tim Cairl, Vice President, Talent Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber and Cosby Johnson, Vice President, Government Relations, Georgia Chamber of Commerce joined MAX to provide their annual recap on which pieces of legislation – workforce and education-related – successfully passed both chambers of the legislature and other outcomes from the session. As usual, Georgia lawmakers took on important issues from childcare and high demand careers to college completion grants and apprenticeships during this year’s session.
Highlights from the discussion with Cairl and Johnson include:
- Capital Construction Projects: In addition to the $2.7 billion in state funding for the Department of Transportation, Georgia is providing an additional $1.1 billion for capital construction projects throughout the state.
- Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: Tax credit for child and dependent care expenses expanded to a 50% match of the federal credit; creates a new Georgia Child Tax Credit; creates a new incentive for employers to cover childcare expenses.
- Duel Achievement Program: Georgia is making the Dual Achievement Program a permanent statewide program.
- High Demand Career List: Georgia is aligning the State Board of Education’s curriculum with the High-demand Career List – that is, those occupations and jobs that are considered high demand. Military Tax Income Exemption: Following the trend of other southern states, Georgia increased the tax exemption for retirees and those coming out of active service.
- Tort Reform: An important issue for the Governor and backed by the Georgia Chamber and Metro Atlanta Chamber, tort reform was passed.
- School Psychologists: A compact would allow for school psychologists to practice across state lines. This would enable psychologists entering the state to get to work more quickly.
The session was hosted and moderated by past MAX board chair Amy Lancaster-King, Principal & Chief Consultant, L:ong Game Solutions, LLC.
Click here for the recording.
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