When the legislature adjourned into recess without Sine Die, no one was really sure what would come next, or when. Fears have become reality with the entire legislature and staff asked to self-quarantine, with at least one State Senator having tested positive and per Facebook claims at least one local office seeker also positive shortly after qualifying for office at the capitol.
The fears of those at the capitol aren’t so much about their own well being, but of what’s next. We have, unfolding in real time, both a biological and economic emergency. Unique to this situation is that by making one the single priority, it likely makes the other worse.
There will be immediate budget challenges. The Supplemental budget funds the state through June 30th, but you can likely wad up the revenue estimates for the remainder of this year and beginning of next and toss them in the trash. A lot of detail on that here from the AJC’s James Salzar, worthy of it’s own post.
In the interim, there’s going to be a lot of work figuring out what resources are still needed for Georgia’s response to the virus itself, what impacts will be on the state and local economies and budgets, and how the state can help affected Georgians directly. That’s a lot of work, and Governor Kemp has assigned various high level tasks force groups to prepare the state’s response.
The following is a press release from the Governor’s office, outlining the details and names of those tapped to help:
| Atlanta, GA – Today Governor Brian P. Kemp announced the members of the Governor’s four Coronavirus Task Force Committees: the Economic Impact Committee, Primary Care Provider Committee, Emergency Preparedness Committee, and Committee for the Homeless and Displaced. “In February, we formed the Coronavirus Task Force with a focus on preparing for COVID-19 and its effects,” said Governor Kemp. “Now, as we mitigate the spread of the virus, these committees will address the specific impacts that COVID-19 will have on communities, industry sectors, our healthcare system, and emergency preparedness. I have full confidence in these committees to serve the needs of all Georgians during this challenging time. In the weeks ahead, we will continue to ensure that our state stands ready for any scenario.” The full list of each committee can be found below: |
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Economic Impact Committee
Jeffrey Dorfman, State Fiscal Economist Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black Allan Adams, University of Georgia Small Business Development Center Nick Ayers, AFH Capital Will Bentley, Georgia Agribusiness Council Donna Bowman, Office of the State Treasurer Ann-Marie Campbell, Home Depot Peter Carter, Delta Air Lines Thomas Cunningham, Metro Atlanta Chamber Walter Kemmsies, Georgia Ports Authority Steve McCoy, Office of the State Treasurer Alfie Meek, Georgia Tech Center for Economic Development Research Jessica Simmons, Georgia Department of Revenue Jim Sprouse, Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association Joe Rogers III, Waffle House Bill Douglas, Synovus Will Wade, Georgia Student Finance Commission State Senator Frank Ginn State Representative Clay Pirkle Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Mark Butler |
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Primary Care Provider Committee
State Senator Ben Watson, MD – Chair State Representative Mark Newton, MD State Senator Kay Kirkpatrick, MD Andrew Reisman, MD – Family Medicine Waldon Garriss, MD – Advanced Clinical Practice Jacqueline Fincher, MD – Advanced Clinical Practice Al Scott, MD – Obstetrics and Gynecology Terri McFadden, MD – Pediatrics Johnny Sy, DO – Emergency Medicine Jeff Stone, MD – Family Medicine Jennifer Pipkin, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Anna Adams, Vice President of Government Relations, Georgia Hospital Association |
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Emergency Preparedness Committee
General John King, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner – Chair Tom Price, MD, former Secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services Kathy Kuzava, Georgia Food Industry Association Thomas Beusse, Georgia Retailers Association Anna Adams, Georgia Hospital Association Adjutant General Thomas Carden, Georgia National Guard Kelly Farr, Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget Homer Bryson, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Colonel Gary Vowell, Georgia Department of Public Safety John Haupert, Grady Health Angela Holland, Georgia Association of Convenience Stores Ed Crowell, Georgia Motor Trucks Association Jannine Miller, Governor’s Logistics Advisor |
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Committee for the Homeless and Displaced
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms – Chair Chris Rustin, DrPH, MS, REHS, Georgia Department of Public Health Christopher Nunn, Georgia Department of Community Affairs Monica Johnson, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities John Haupert, Grady Health State Representative Sharon Cooper Dr. Elizabeth Ford, Fulton and DeKalb Boards of Health Nick Buford, Governor’s Office Milton Little, United Way of Greater Atlanta Tom Andrews, Mercy Care Jack Hardin, Regional Commission on Homelessness Sapna Bamrah-Morris, MD, U.S. Public Health Service Dave Whisnant, Georgia Law Center for the Homeless Cathryn Marchman, Partners for HOME Melvia Richards, DeKalb County Dawn Butler, Fulton County Homeless Continuum of Care Cindy Kelley, Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless Christie Clarington, Macon Bibb Economic Opportunity Council Pat Frey, United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley State Representative Spencer Frye State Senator Gloria Butler |