It comes as little surprise that Georgia's most powerful business leaders are prepared next year to fight the latest push to pass "religious liberty" bills and to expand transit.
It was notable, though, when the Metro Atlanta Chamber's outgoing chair, Larry Gellerstedt, also signaled unease over state efforts to ban Syrian refugees from entering Georgia.
Asked about recent debate over Syrian refugees in Georgia and comments by Trump on Muslim travel bans, Gellerstedt said: "Anything that discriminates against any group, we are not going to be for. That will be (our) base and there won't be waffling on that."
Marshall Guest, the chamber's go-to lobbyist, said Gellerstedt also added that the issue would be vetted through the organization's public policy advisory board. But Guest said it's "really beyond the scope of our public policy work."
"Ensuring Georgia is known as a welcoming, inclusive environment for our customers, employees and tourists alike will be a priority for us," Guest said.
Some brief backstory about the debate:
Gov. Nathan Deal ordered state agencies in November to halt any involvement in resettling new Syrian refugees, which prompted a threat of a lawsuit by the Obama administration. Just weeks after he signed the order, three new Syrian refugees arrived from the war-torn country and applied for food stamp benefits.
The state Department of Human Services confirmed last week it would stick to its new policy of refusing to process applications for benefits for newly arrived Syrian refugees, setting up a possible legal showdown with civil rights groups. Meanwhile, Attorney General Sam Olens warned that Georgia's defiance is "not well supported in the law," while Deal has said he will vigorously defend his stance in court.
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