ATLANTA— Today the Georgia House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Jobs, Opportunity, and Business Success Act of 2009 (J.O.B.S. Act). The measure now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
“For some reason people in Washington seem to think that only big government spending programs can lift us out of this economic recession,” said Rep. Tom Graves (R- Ranger). “By passing this act today with broad, bi-partisan support, we have shown that Georgia is different. We believe the best way to revive our economy is to empower people, not government, in order to create, expand and attract jobs for Georgians.”
HB 481, a bill that provides tax credits to employers for each unemployed person hired, suspends business “start-up” fees for one year, and eliminates the state sales tax deposit, passed the House by a 164-4 vote. The accompanying bill, HB 482, which eliminates the state ad valorem tax on business inventory through a statewide referendum, passed 166-0.
“Today the House passed commonsense legislation that will grow jobs and help Georgians,” said House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R- St. Simons). “I’d like to thank Tom Graves for taking the initiative on this important issue and the House Republican Caucus for their support of this economic recovery package.”
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Representative Tom Graves represents the citizens of District 12, which includes portions of Bartow, Gordon, and Pickens counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2002, and currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Motor Vehicles Committee. He also serves on the Health & Human Services, Transportation, and Ways & Means committees.