House Small Business Development Committee
Chairman Mike Cheokas (R-Americus) and his Committee and adopted its Committee Rules. This Committee will operate with four subcommittees: 1) Barriers to Regulation (chair is Representative Tim Barton (R-Calhoun)); 2) Retail Hospitality (chair is Representative Bill Yearta (R-Sylvester)); 3) Incentives and Education (chair is Representative Dale Washburn (R-Macon)); and 4) Agribusiness (chair is Representative Steven Meeks (R-Screven)).
The Committee heard presentations from NFIB, Nathan Humphrey, which indicated that the small business climate in Georgia was overall good Georgia has AAA bonds; low tax rate; it is a “right to work” state; has a solvent unemployment trust fund; has a workers’ compensation fund; and is a diversified economy. NFIB’s Humphrey pointed out the COVID-19 response and allowing businesses to open; the passage of HB 486; passage of covid liability protection law, SB 359; and the $1.5 billion for unemploymen
Georgia state senator says she tests positive for COVID-19
Published
ATLANTA - Another Georgia state senator says she has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Freddie Powell Sims announced Friday that she had tested positive in an open letter to her constituents in 11 southwest Georgia counties. The Dawson Democrat says her condition is good and she is isolating at home after being examined by medical personnel.
The announcement comes days after Sen. Majority Leader Mike Dugan, a Carrollton Republican, announced he had been infected. Dugan said he tested positive during mandatory testing for lawmakers and legislative staff at the state Capitol.
Both chambers of the state legislature are requiring members and staff to take twice-weekly saliva tests to try to slow the spread of the virus. Both chambers also require face masks. Mask-wearing had been optional in the state Senate last year although a number of its members have been sickened by COVID-19.