Home > Political Insider > Archives > 2008 > February > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWilliams: It ain’t good business for a Chamber to say no to business
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) is shaking its finger at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce for its opposition to a standalone, private cancer treatment center that’s trying to push past state regulators and into Atlanta.
S.B. 433 would give an exception to the cancer hospital — based on its promise that most patients would come from out of state. The bill is to come up for a Senate floor vote late this week or early next week.
Williams points to an e-mail from a Georgia Hospital Association lobbyist, giving advice to hospital executives on what to say to state senators:
“I encourage you to tell your Senators that the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and its Board of Directors are 100 percent with us on this issue. Oftentimes, the Chamber position makes it a little easier for a lawmaker to make up his or her mind, as the Legislature is comprised mostly of business people,” says the e-mail from GHA lobbyist Earl Rogers.
The GHA says it’s opposing the legislation because of the precedent it would set.
But the Senate majority leader thinks the Chamber’s opposition is odd. Why would the business organization oppose a business — and a wealthy one, to boot — that wants to come into the state?
Williams is entirely willing to provide the answer to his own question. He’s counted about 20 hospitals, medical chains and other interests that are listed as “cornerstone” donors on the Chamber’s web site, which means they donate at least $10,500 annually.
Services »
Comments