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Gold Dome Update 
Highlights from the House 
Week Three
Last Wednesday, brought to a close legislative day seven of 40. Despite winter storm warnings for all of metro-Atlanta, we convened our daily session as scheduled. It was an exciting week under the gold dome and in Atlanta, as we prepared to host nearly a million visitors for Super Bowl Sunday. Last week we focused on organizational committee meetings which are gearing up for the busy days ahead. We also made progress on one of our top priorities- rural broadband access.   

Rural Broadband Access

During the 2017 legislative session, our leadership made a commitment to improve economic opportunities for the rural areas of our state. This brought about the formation of the House Rural Development Council (RDC). Over the last couple of years, the committee has traveled statewide to meet with community leaders and policy experts, to study which ways we could most effectively assist their efforts for economic development and growth in the less populated areas of our state. Of the many suggestions, reliable internet access and broadband was a repeated area of concern. In December of 2018, the committee released its report which included the immediate need to address rural Georgia’s lack of high-speed internet and broadband access.

Prior to adjournment last Wednesday, the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee held a hearing to consider House Bill 22 and House Bill 23 that came from the RDC’s legislative recommendations. HB 22 would amend the Rural Telephone Cooperative Act to allow telephone cooperatives to provide, improve or expand broadband services to rural communities with or without a landline. HB 23 would allow electric membership corporations (EMCs) and their affiliates to provide broadband services. After the committee carefully considered these bills, they successfully passed and now await a hearing in the House Rules committee. House Rules is the final step, prior to receiving a floor vote before our entire body.

Through the USDA’s Rural eConnectivity (ReConnect) Pilot Program, if passed HB 22 and HB 23 could open the door to allow for additional, federal assistance for rural citizens. The program allows for EMCs and telephone cooperatives to apply for federal grants and loans for broadband expansion. Further, it allows non-profit entities, for-profit corporations and cooperatives to apply for a 100 percent loan or a 50 percent loan/50 percent grant option for rural communities where 90 percent of households do not have adequate broadband access. As an estimated 16% of Georgians lack high speed internet or broadband, we are expecting passage of these measures, which will be the first step of many in assisting those living in less populated areas of our state . 

Economic Impact Report- Super Bowl LIII

As we worked on legislation to better our rural communities, the City of Atlanta prepared for the weeks’ worth of Super Bowl festivities. The expected economic impact from hosting the Super Bowl is estimated between $198 million and $400 million. Georgia’s airports, hotels and local businesses will benefit from the event, as will our entire state from the increase in state and local tax dollars from tourist spending. After the most recent Super Bowl, the Twin Cities area of Minnesota saw close to $32 million in state and local tax revenues. 
  Job growth expected for Middle Georgia in 2019

A recent report released by the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business announced that job growth for our area looks promising for the 2019 year. For the Warner Robins area, the forecast calls for a net employment growth of 800 jobs with government, aerospace and high-tech jobs being the largest contributors. This is exciting news as we continue to work hard by ensuring our district is the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Please be on the lookout for future updates concerning our government at work. If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us at anytime. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of serving you under the gold dome. We look forward to the coming days where we will continue to stand strong for simple, smart and effective government.

Respectfully,
Shaw Blackmon
Representative of Georgia's 146th House District

Contact:
478-918-7477
 
Representative Shaw Blackmon
District 146
Email: Shaw.Blackmon@house.ga.gov
Phone: 404-656-0177
Address: 501-E Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30334


Rep. Shaw Blackmon represents District 146. He currently serves as a member of Economic Development & Tourism,Governmental Affairs, Insurance, Juvenile Justice, Rules, Small Business Development, Special Rules, and Ways & Means Committees. He serves as Chair of the Transportation Committee on Appropriations and also as House Appointee to the Joint Defense Commission.