Last Thursday, President Gregory L. Fenves visited the state Capitol and met with Senate and House members. He joined Cameron Taylor, Vice President, Office of Government & Community Affairs and the State Affairs team. President Fenves met with Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan (pictured here), House Majority Leader Jon Burns (R - Newington), House Minority Leader James Beverly (D - Macon), Senate Health and Human Services Chairman Ben Watson (R - Savannah), Senate Insurance and Labor Chairman Dean Burke (R - Bainbridge) and Minority Caucus Chairman Billy Mitchell (D - Stone Mountain). President Fenves and the team expressed gratitude to the members for their support of Emory’s priorities and initiatives, and commended the members for addressing the workforce shortages impacting every industry in the state. Thank you to President Fenves for visiting the Capitol!

After President Fenves completed his visit to the state Capitol, he hosted an Emory Alumni Dinner at his residency at Lullwater House. Greg and Carmel Fenves welcomed Emory Alumni who work in a variety of public service roles throughout Georgia. Several legislators, agency leaders, and government affairs staffers discussed how their experience at Emory influenced their current work. We express our appreciation to the President and Carmel Fenves for opening their home and hosting a group of proud Emory Alumni.

Pictured above with President Fenves is Nelly Miles, Director of Public & Governmental Affairs for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

COVID19 Vaccine Requirements and Passports

Last Wednesday, Senate Bill 345 - sponsored by Senator Jeff Mullis (R - Chickamauga) - passed out of the Senate Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee. SB 345 prohibits specific entities from requiring COVID19 vaccines and passports. The original version of this legislation would have impacted hospital authorities. The State Affairs team worked with the sponsor and members of the Senate HHS committee to amend the bill to maintain protections for hospitals and hospital authorities. Additionally, the bill was further amended to have a sunset date of June 30, 2023.

18 Days Left

This week, the Georgia General Assembly will complete Legislative Days 21-24 bringing the 2022 Legislative Session over the halfway point. Wednesday is reserved as a committee work day so that members can continue to vet legislation to send to the floor for votes in anticipation of Crossover Day on March 15.

Congressional Update

Healthcare Provider Protection Act

Last week, after congressional approval, the Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Act (H.R. 1667) was sent to the president’s desk for signature. The legislation authorizes grants for programs that offer behavioral health services for front-line healthcare workers. The bill also requires the US Department of Health and Human Services to recommend strategies to facilitate healthcare provider well-being and to encourage healthcare workers to seek assistance when needed.

Appropriations

The government continues to operate under a Continuing Resolution (CR), which will expire on March 11th. Both parties have signaled they would like this to be the final CR of the year. While subcommittees have received top-line numbers, there continues to be disagreement among members on items like border wall funding, abortion policy, and defense funding. There is also a chance that the White House will formally request an additional $30B in COVID funds, as outlined by US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

America COMPETES/USICA

The House and Senate are looking to negotiate the differences between competing supply chain and competition packages that have passed each chamber. Of the many provisions being considered and negotiated, trade will be one of the most difficult. Both chambers argue that the other body’s trade title cannot pass in their chamber. Read more here.

Administration Update

State of the Union

Tonight, President Biden will deliver his State of the Union address.

Supreme Court 

President Biden has selected Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee to the Supreme Court. Jackson currently sits on DC’s federal appellate court and had been considered the front-runner for the vacancy following Justice Stephen Breyer’s announcement of his retirement. Jackson will be the first Black woman and first public defender to sit on the highest court in the nation.

On February 24, several members of Emory attended the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Annual Heritage Dinner. OGCA sponsored a table at the event and appreciated the opportunity to connect with Emory State Reps. Jasmine Clark and Kim Schofield. Randy Brown, Supplier Diversity Manager, and Brandon Gardner, Associate Director of Community Engagement represented Emory.

On February 22, our own Kendra Price was honored in a virtual awards ceremony as one of the Champions of the 4th Congressional District by Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04). The annual “Unsung Heroes Awards”program is hosted by the Congressman each year and honors everyday citizens and community leaders who go above and beyond to make their communities better places to live, work and play.

Throughout the month, Kendra Price, Associate Director of Community Programs, interviewed Senator Kim Jackson (D-41) and Rep. Karen Bennett (D-94) for the DeKalb Chamber’s Discuss DeKalb interview series. Discuss DeKalb engages with leaders and experts in order to inform community members about issues, trends, and events adding value to the local business community. Watch the conversations with local elected officials here.

DeKalb Beloved Naturalists Convenes

On February 19, DeKalb Beloved Naturalists kicked off their first meeting at Arabia Mountain–with twenty eager naturalists, diverse in age, gender and color, and a presentation (and hike) by Leslie Edwards, author, Ph.D. and professional educator. Emory is supporting the once-a-month lectures and field trips, sponsored by conservation organizations and working with DeKalb County park rangers in concert with Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. Kendra Price, Associate Director of University Programs, began the session with a welcome and introductions of the founding committee. 

Team Updates

Many of you know Kendra Price and her work in the local community, representing and connecting Emory as a trusted partner in DeKalb County. To recognize her efforts, she has been promoted to Associate Director of Community Programs. Please join us in congratulating Kendra!