ATLANTA— State Representative Jay Powell (R-Camilla) was named as the 2010 “Legislator of the Year” by the Georgia Retail Association (GRA). Rep. Powell received the honor for his work on House Bill 1082, which was designed to allow local governments in Georgia to decide if they wanted to provide inventory tax relief to businesses within their limits.
“Representative Powell clearly understands how important it is to have Georgia’s retailers compete on a level playing field with those of surrounding states,” said John Heavener, President of the GRA. “Even though Governor Perdue vetoed HB 1082, Representative Powell’s vision and hard work will surely lead to the enactment of this legislation in the future.”
HB 1082 was endorsed by the Georgia Retail Association, the Georgia Municipal Association and the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia. The Georgia House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 151-4. It passed the Senate with a vote of 45-1. However, HB 1082 was vetoed by Governor Perdue on June 4, 2010.
“I’m honored that the Georgia Retail Association would choose me, in my freshman term, as the 2010 Legislator of the Year,” said Representative Powell. “I look forward to next session, when I will once again be able to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to pass legislation, like HB 1082, that helps struggling businesses stay open and keep Georgians employed.”
More information on HB 1082 can be found by clicking here.
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Representative Jay Powell represents the citizens of District 171, which includes portions of Colquitt and Mitchell counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2008, and currently serves on the Appropriations, Governmental Affairs, Judiciary and Ways and Means committees.