As a state representative, it is not unusual for constituents to tell me about a state law or regulation that is hurting their business, either directly or through the ridiculous paperwork required to comply. While no one likes dealing with bureaucratic red tape, many of these Cherokee County residents are even more frustrated because the regulation is outdated or unnecessary. In the past I have always made sure to take down the information, bring it back to the Capitol, and try to work with my colleagues to change the situation. Unfortunately that’s not an easy thing to do when a small handful of representatives are trying to reform bureaucratic systems. Well things have changed!
House Speaker David Ralston has heard enough of these types of concerns from us that he decided to challenge the House Special Committee on Small Business Development and Job Creation to undertake serious regulation reform in order to help spur our state economy and create jobs for Georgians. The initiative, called “Red Tape Watch,” charges the House Special Committee on Small Business Development and Job Creation to spend the current legislative session reviewing and evaluating Georgia’s current regulatory environment. To do this, the special committee will meet throughout the 2012 legislative session to hear directly from small business owners about burdensome or onerous state regulations that unnecessarily hinder economic development, business growth, and job creation in Georgia.
Over the past three weeks the special committee has hosted three of these meetings, which are already allowing us to identify opportunities cut the red tape that is restricting small business growth in our communities. For example, business owners from several different industries have complained about delays in working with state agencies to obtain inspections and licenses. Also, many owners of day care centers complained of a new requirement that employees must have a technical or college degree. Some of these centers say they may have to lay off workers who have been working with them for 20 years. We need to look at policies like these and determine if this is the right step to take.
While the feedback from the first three meetings has provided us with some insight into possible areas for improvement that we have already begun to work on, the special committee plans to continue to hold hearings. Small businesses across the state are sharing the challenges caused by unnecessary government regulations, and Cherokee County must join them before it is too late.
If you are aware of any oppressive or outdated state regulations that should be brought before the special committee, please visit www.house.ga.gov/redtapewatch and let your voice be heard. Once on the Red Tape Watch website, you can choose to either come down to a hearing to state your concerns publicly or simply submit a comment for the special committee to review. Either way, YOU will be heard and your opinion will be duly considered.
With your help, we can make it easier for small businesses in our community to grow and thrive. This is your opportunity to let us know about those onerous rules and regulation that waste your time and money. This is your opportunity to get action.
As your representative, I will always make myself available to hear your concerns, but now is the time to make something happen.
Representative Calvin Hill represents the citizens of District 21, which includes portions of Cherokee County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2002, and is a Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and the Secretary Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee. He also serves on the Banks & Banking, Special Rules, and State Institutions & Property committees.
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