A Changing Georgia
Friends,
Georgia has changed a lot in recent years.
Our state has more than doubled in size since 1980.
The Savannah area has nearly doubled in population.
The Atlanta area has increased in population over 400%.
These changes and continued growth in Georgia requires the General Assembly to regularly revisit legislation enacted in the past to ensure it’s best serving Georgians.
Two efforts we’re undertaking during the interim period before our next session will help us do just that.
The Joint Tax Credit Review Panel, led by House Chairman Shaw Blackmon of Bonaire and Senate Chairman Chuck Hufstetler of Rome, has been tasked with reviewing tax provisions in Georgia Code.
Many of these provisions have been enacted in recent years in an effort to ensure Georgia remains a competitive place to do business and grow jobs. At the same time, we must ensure that we maintain a fair tax structure for all Georgians.
Chairmen Blackmon and Hufstetler will be joined by Representatives Buckner, Carpenter, Martin, Williamson, and Hatchett, as well as Senators Albers, Dolezal, Cowsert, and Rhett.
As these men and women continue their important work with meetings over the summer and into the fall, I look forward to reviewing the information gathered as they develop legislation for consideration for the 2024 Session.
We also enacted HR 603, which created the House Study Committee on Certificate of Need Modernization.
This Committee is being chaired by Representative Butch Parrish of Swainsboro, joined by Representatives Beverly, Cameron, Cooper, Hagan, Hawkins, and Newton, as well as private sector members representing healthcare providers and educators.
The certificate of need process was created in Georgia in the 1970’s, and sought to ensure that the healthcare needs of Georgians are met around the state, while preventing providers from moving into an area and undercutting cost or performing only high profit procedures.
At the same time, some argue that these rules can make it difficult for new providers to serve a community when growth has increased the demand for new healthcare services.
I believe that any discussion of reform in this area must focus on the facts. As Georgia continues to grow, continued improvements in the healthcare sector is a must.
I look forward to reviewing what this Committee, with so much expertise and experience in Georgia’s healthcare system, learns as well as the proposals it puts forth.
As these efforts get underway, don’t hesitate to reach out with questions about my service as your Representative or as Speaker of the House, or with your thoughts about educational opportunities in Georgia. You can contact me at 404.656.5020, Jon.Burns@house.ga.gov, or on Facebook at www.FB.com/JonBurnsGA. If you wish to sign up for my weekly emailed newsletter, visit https://www.friendsofjonburns.com/home to sign up.