The Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced its 2015 Legislators of the Year on Wednesday, June 3, 2015.  Senator Steve Gooch (Dahlonega), Representative Bruce Williamson (Monroe) and Senator John F. Kennedy (Macon) were recognized respectively as the Legislator of the Year in the Senate, House, and as the top freshman. 

“We are proud to have lawmakers like these three who understand the importance of a strong partnership between the state and the business community,” said the 2015 Georgia Chamber Board Chair and Georgia Power Chairman, President and CEO Paul Bowers.  “Their leadership at the Georgia General Assembly has played a key role in keeping Georgia the most competitive state in the nation for business.” 

All three legislators actively supported a number of the organization’s top priorities.

“The strong and courageous leadership of Senator Gooch was essential to this year’s passage of legislation creating substantial transportation and infrastructure funding for our state,” said Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark.  “Transportation funding has been a longtime priority for Georgia’s business community and we are grateful for the strides Senator Gooch made on this issue.”

“Representative Williamson’s legislation to successfully extend the angel investor tax credit for three years will improve the availability of capital in Georgia, attract more venture capital firms to our state and create a healthy ecosystem for keeping Georgia-grown companies in our state,” added the Georgia Bankers Association’s Senior Vice President, Government Relations and the Georgia Chamber’s Government Affairs Council Chair Elizabeth Chandler.  “As our state competes for start-up companies, Representative Williamson’s efforts will entice more of these companies to stay in Georgia.”

“In his freshman year, Senator Kennedy has already shown his leadership in the General Assembly, supporting several policy initiatives important to Georgia’s business community, including education reform, transportation funding, and legal reform,” commented David Raynor, the Georgia Chamber’s Senior Vice President of Public Affairs.

The Georgia Chamber presents its Legislator of the Year awards annually after the conclusion of the legislative session.  To learn more about the organization’s legislative and advocacy efforts, visit www.gachamber.com/advocacy.