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Chance named to SLC committees

State Sen. Ronnie Chance (R-Tyrone) has been appointed to two Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) committees by Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) - including the Economic Development, Transportation and Cultural Affairs Committee and the Energy and Environment Committee.

The topics explored by the SLC Economic Development, Transportation and Cultural Affairs Committee include a number of critical issues relevant to the progress and advancement of the Southern region. As the Southern states continue to diversify their economies, the Committee has studied a number of issues to further its understanding of this diversification process. In addition, the Committee has focused on exploring the role of the arts as a catalyst for economic growth and the fact that a thriving cultural scenario is an important consideration in the relocation and expansion plans of corporations. The Committee also focuses on such issues as federal transportation plans and their implications for Southern states; competition among states to attract economic investment; attracting and retaining high-tech investment; promoting Southern state exports; high speed rail in the South; promoting biotechnology; federal surface transportation plans and the successor to ISTEA.

Southern states have abundant natural resources which have been instrumental in the recent growth and development throughout the region. In sustaining economic development, meeting growing energy needs, and maintaining the South's high quality of life, states are increasingly recognizing the need to forge energy and environmental policies that ensure sound stewardship of the region's resources and the economy of the region as a whole. Through panel discussions and presentations, the SLC Energy and Environment Committee has studied clean water programs and water permitting; alternative energy; the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); state compliance with federal clean air and water standards; the future for nuclear power; the role of merchant power plants; the ramifications of deregulation on Southern states; growth and sprawl; and surveyed recent legislative and state public utility activity.

The SLC's mission is to foster and encourage intergovernmental cooperation among its 16-member states. In large measure this is achieved through the meetings, publications and policy positions of the Conference's seven standing committees. Committee members are appointed by their chamber's legislative leadership and each committee elects its own officers. Through the deliberations of Committee members, an array of issues facing all Southern state legislatures are considered.

Founded in 1947, the Southern Legislative Conference is the largest of four regional legislative groups operating under The Council of State Governments and comprises the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The Southern Office of The Council of State Governments was opened in Atlanta in 1959. Initially charged with serving all three branches of state government, the duties of the office have evolved to providing services primarily to the more than 2,500 legislative members and staff of its 16-state region. SLC members are appointed by the leadership of the 32 legislative chambers in the South. The SLC Annual Meeting, which will be held in Mobile, Alabama later this summer, has grown to become the largest regional gathering of state legislators in the country and attracts the largest audience of any of the Council of State Governments regional conferences.

Sen. Ronnie Chance represents the 16th Senate District which includes all or portions of Fayette, Lamar, Monroe, Pike and Spalding counties. He may be reached by phone at 404-656-0071 or by e-mail at rchance@legis.state.ga.us.