GRA Weekly

March 21, 2024

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner, Melissa Libby & Associates

WINE DOWN BY THE RIVER

Wine Down by the River

Join the GRA on the banks of the Chattahoochee River for Wine Down by the River, a special reception in support of the National Restaurant Association Restaurant Political Action Committee and the Georgia Restaurant Association Political Action Committee. Through your attendance and support, we are able to reach candidates who will advance a pro-restaurant pro-business legislative agenda, fight onerous legislation, and address the issues that are most important to you.

Tuesday, April 23, 2024 | 5:00PM - 7:00PM

Canoe | 4199 Paces Ferry Rd, Atlanta

Interested in sponsoring? Contact Sarah Thorson to learn more.

GRA IN THE NEWS

Congratulations to GRA President + CEO, Stephanie Fischer on being named one of the Most Influential Georgians in 2024 in JAMES Magazine!

This year's list was made up of Georgia's Most Influential men and women in politics, business, education, and the judiciary, and the media. Read the full list.

GRA ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

GRA Annual Golf Tournament

Join us on May 7 at the Atlanta National Golf Club for the 13th Annual GRA Golf Tournament. Have fun, network and perfect your chip shot as we take to the golf course. The GRA Golf Tournament is a classic combination of business development, networking, sport, relaxation, and philanthropy. Attendees include restaurateurs, corporate executive leadership and restaurant industry vendors, suppliers, & service providers.

Network, showcase, and be recognized for your support of the Georgia Restaurant Association and our restaurant community, through this annual event.

Tuesday, May 7, 2024 | 9:00AM - 6:00PM

Atlanta National Golf Club, Milton

Questions or interested in sponsoring? Contact Sarah Thorson to learn more.

TASTE OF THE CAPITOL | GRA UNDER THE GOLD DOME

Taste of the Capitol | GRA Under the Gold Dome

Stay up-to-date with the GRA's Advocacy team as they navigate yet another 40-day legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol. Want to learn more or get involved? Contact Dedan McFadden.

Tangible Personal Property Tax in Senate

HB 808, sponsored by Chairman Mike Cheokas, was on the Senate floor for a vote on Thursday. This legislation would alleviate the financial burdens faced by countless businesses across the state by raising the exemption threshold for tangible personal property (TPP) tax from $7,500 to $20,000.

Senate Passes Tax Reductions

On Wednesday, the Senate passed a two pieces of legislation that would reduce taxes for residents and businesses. HB 1015 would accelerate the current income tax cut for individuals. HB 1023, which passed would decrease the corporate income tax rate. Both measures now head to Gov. Brian Kemp to be signed into law.

Swipe Fee Study Committee

Last week, House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee passed HR 1135 authored by Rep. Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth). This bill would create a study committee on credit card fees and state sales and excise tax and their impact on Georgia merchants and consumers. HR 1135 now heads to the full House for a vote with support from a broad coalition of industries.

Bill to Establish High-Demand Career List

Last week, the State Senate passed HB 982, which would require the State Development Workforce Board to annually publish a high-demand career list identifying those careers most critical to the state's current and future workforce needs. The GRA supports this measure to consolidate the various lists put out by state departments to assist in the implementation of workforce development and education programs.

ATLANTA NIGHTLIFE STAKEHOLDER SURVEY

Atlanta Nightlife Stakeholder Survey

The City of Atlanta’s Nightlife Division of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Entertainment & Nightlife is conducting a study to detail the unique significance of Atlanta’s nightlife culture and how the city’s nightlife industry supports the local economy. Defining the contribution that businesses like yours make to the Atlanta economy and job base will help foster a much more constructive and sensible approach to managing the issues that impact you. It will also provide the data to help your industry tell a compelling story about the role that nightlife plays in Atlanta’s cultural, social and economic life.

Take the survey here.

EMPOWER WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE

Empower Women to Make Them and Your Workplace Thrive

Chances are good that you don't need to bring in outside talent to spark better productivity and ideas at work; chances are you already have such employees, and they're women whose abilities have yet to be noticed or tapped, writes leadership coach Joel Garfinkle. To become more competitive and promote from within, look to women by engaging, empowering and leveraging, Garfinkle explains. Continue reading.

FEDERAL UPDATE

Independent Contractor or Employee? 2024 Final Rule Goes into Effect

On March 11, a Department of Labor (DOL) rule dictating how employers should determine whether their employees qualify as independent contractors took effect. The 2024 Final Rule, which DOL issued Jan. 10, rescinds and replaces the Trump administration’s more streamlined worker classification while returning to the “totality of the circumstances” standard.

Dive deeper: Under this rule, DOL returns to a 6-factor test, with no one factor presumed to carry more weight than another. This new standard undermines clarity and predictability for businesses. In addition, the complexity of the new rule will likely require operators to consult with qualified legal counsel. The rule’s ambiguity could also lead to inconsistent classifications and increased litigation risks.

Key takeaway: The rule is expected to make it more difficult for companies to categorize workers as independent contractors, rather than employees. However, platforms in the gig economy, such as app-based rideshare and delivery services, do not expect the new rule to alter the classification of their drivers.

Why it matters: The distinction between employee and independent contractor determines whether the individual is entitled to the federal minimum wage and overtime.

What’s next: The Association supports H.J. Res 116 and S.J. Res 63, resolutions to repeal DOL’s final Independent Contractor rule through the Congressional Review Act. Earlier this month, the Association joined a coalition of organizations in sending a letter to Congress in support of this effort. The Association also supports the Employee Rights Act, which would streamline the definition of "employee" across federal law.

Restaurant operators may be eligible settlement funds

The Payment Card Settlement is the biggest antitrust class-action settlement in history and sets aside about $6B for millions of U.S. merchants who for years paid artificially inflated Visa and Mastercard interchange fees. If your restaurant accepted Visa and/or Mastercard at any time between Jan. 1, 2004, to Jan. 25, 2019, then you are likely a member of the class settlement and entitled to a share of the settlement.

Learn more: The Association and the Restaurant Law Center recently hosted a webinar on the “Payment Card Settlement: What it Means for Restaurant Operators.” A recording of this webinar and a copy of the power point presentation can be found here.

Key takeaways: The claim window is open - the deadline to submit a claim either through the physical mailer or online is May 31, 2024. Go to www.paymentcardsettlement.com to submit a claim before the deadline.

Submitting a claim is easy: The claim process was designed to take only 5 to 15 minutes. The portal should even autofill most information when submitting the individual’s “Claimant ID” and “Control Number” found in the claim letter or by submitting the business’s Tax ID, if the claim letter is not available.

Georgia DOR | Quarterly Sales & Use Tax Rate Updates

Effective April 1, 2024, Georgia Department of Revenue has published the new quarterly sales and use tax rates. Counties affected include: Baker, Baldwin, Barrow, Long, Richmond, Taylor, Towns, Walker. Historical, current and upcoming sales and use tax rates changes may be viewed here.

SIPPIN' LOCAL

Sippin' Local

The GRA has partnered with JAMES Magazine to launch the 5th annual SIPPIN' LOCAL poll, highlighting a booming Georgia industry. Everyone is invited to vote for their favorite breweries, distilleries and wineries located across the state.

The top 10 vote recipients in each category will be listed in the May/June issue of JAMES Magazine, and the number one company in each category will be spotlighted in a feature article.

The poll runs through April 5. Submit your vote here.

GRA FOUNDATION UPDATE

2024 Georgia ProStart Educator of the Year

On February 29 at the 2024 Georgia ProStart State Invitational, Chef Phillip Garrett of Grayson Technical Education Program received the Georgia ProStart Educator of Excellence Award (EEA) for his demonstrated excellence in the classroom.

Each participating state restaurant association nominates its leading educator who has demonstrated a strong commitment to his or her students and the ProStart program. This year’s EEA winners will be announced at the National ProStart State Invitational (NPSI) in Baltimore, MD, on April 26-28. The National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) also will reveal the recipient of the James H. Maynard Teacher of the Year Award, recognizing one EEA winner for their tireless dedication to providing remarkable experiences to their ProStart students. Read more.

2024 GPSI Winners Announced

Eleven Georgia high school teams traveled to Duluth on Thursday, February 29, 2024 for a statewide competition focused on culinary arts and restaurant management to win scholarships, top honors and more at the Georgia ProStart Invitational (GPSI). Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Berkmar High School and Meadowcreek High School took home top honors and will represent Georgia at the premier national high school culinary arts and restaurant management competition in Baltimore, MD, on April 26-28.

These schools will join over 92 teams from across the country to vie for the top high school culinary and restaurant management honors as well as almost $200,000 in scholarships to support their future aspirations in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Additionally, chef Phillip Garrett of Grayson Technical Education Program was named the Georgia ProStart Educator of Excellence for his demonstrated excellence in the classroom. Keep reading.

SAVE ON ELECTRIC RATES

Save on Electric Rates

The Georgia Restaurant Association fought hard for restaurants to have access to a rate that was previously only available to large, multi-unit chains. If you are a restaurant that uses Georgia Power, identifies as 722 in NAICS, and meet the actual peak demand requirement of not less than 30 kW, then you should reach out and ask about switching to the TOU-FD. We have heard testimonies from independent restaurants from across the state reporting an average savings of 10%-15% on their power bill.

You may contact Georgia Power’s Business Solutions Center directly at 1-888-655-5888. If you have any questions, you can contact us and we are happy to assist to the best of our ability or connect you with a trusted partner.

NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION SHOW

National Restaurant Association Show

Discover new ways to optimize your menu and lower expenses while delivering exceptional guest experiences at the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show taking place May 18-21, 2024 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

As the world’s most influential showcase of foodservice innovation, the Show is a must-attend event for every member of the industry.

As a restaurant member of the GRA, you are also a dual member of the NRA and your organization is eligible for one complimentary Expo Badge.

Reach out to the Show organizations at admin@email.nationalrestaurantshow.com or call 864-699-6435 to claim your complimentary badge.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with your peers in foodservice at the culinary destination of the year! Register today!

WORRY LESS ABOUT MEDICATION COSTS

Worry Less About Medication Costs

Optum Perks® is a free prescription discount program that helps lower the costs of medications. Optum Perks cards are accepted at thousands of pharmacies nationwide, from the large chains to the local pharmacy around the corner. Just show your reusable card to your pharmacist every time you fill a prescription and start saving.

Save money on prescriptions

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Medication prices starting at just $4

Get to know Optum Perks

Save up to 80%* simply by showing the pharmacist your Optum Perks card
Use the card at 64,000 pharmacies nationwide
No limit to how often you can use the card
Works with 90-day fills

Learn more.

RISING STARS

Who Are You Going to Nominate?

Do you know a rising star in your restaurant? Someone who's making a big impact and has the potential to be a future leader in the industry? Nominate them for the 2024 Rising Stars Awards! Learn more.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Restaurant Strong National Grant 2024 - Calling all Female Entrepreneurs

The Papaya Grant offers $10,000 to support the long-term success of a female-owned small business. U.S.-based female entrepreneurs focusing on their entrepreneurial challenges, brand missions, and grant utilization intentions can apply by March 31.

2024 PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE

2024 Public Affairs Conference

Co-hosts of Fox News Channel’s The Five, Dana Perino and former Congressman Harold Ford, Jr., will be the keynote speakers at the National Restaurant Association's (NRA) 2024 Public Affairs Conference!

Where and when: The 2024 Public Affairs Conference is happening April 15–17, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Register now!