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		Home Page > Legislative Legislative Political Action/Government Relations   Do you know what U.S. Congressional District You're In or How to Contact your Congressman? Click here to find out. GAPS maintains an active role representing our industry and member firms on the state and federal government level. Developing and maintaining an active presence is a year round commitment of our talents and resources. GAPS is most dedicated to the Georgia political scene. We review and monitor all proposed legislation, provide sub-committee testimony on key issues, assist lawmakers in developing favorable legislation and provide on-going professional assistance and advice on issues affecting small business, entrepreneurial firms and the free enterprise system the personnel services industry supports. Working through our retained lobbyist, we have successfully influenced favorable legislation on such topics as workers compensation, unemployment tax credits, intangible tax, computerization tax avoidance, health care insurance availability, etc. GAPS continues to be in the vanguard preventing government encroachment on our ability to operate profitably and without unnecessary regulation. We will continue to oppose a sales or professional tax on our industry. We will constructively work with the Department of Labor to expand mutual understanding while opposing growing government competition by D.O.L. GAPS will work to guarantee ethics in our industry to prevent the need for bureaucratic regulation by governments. On the national front, GAPS had coordinated on federal issues with the National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS), recently heading off dangerous interpretations on reference checking under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. GAPS members responded on the state and local level back home to their Representatives and US Senators and with NAPS support won the fight in committee averting great injury to our industry and ability to do business freely. Last year, GAPS spent ten percent of its budget on legislative matters. Fortunately, this was accomplished through supplemental revenues, sponsorships, advertising and the like without any direct support from member dues. We do ask your support so that we can do more. GAPS members are asked to quickly contact their senators and local representatives on key issue alerts during the annual legislative session. Your generous support of the GAPS Political Action Committee fund is very important. We must be ever vigilant to the actions of well meaning, but misdirected or misinformed politicians. GAPS will maintain an active voice and presence at the Capitol to protect and assure the future of our industry.   Legislative “Watchdog” - Your Insurance as a Member Janice Winters has been the GAPS’ legislative representative since the 1992 Georgia session.  Bills that have been stopped that would have put burdensome regulations on GAPS’ members have been numerous, but the following are examples: 1. Sales tax on services – lobbied over a period in the early to mid 90’s. 2. The licensing of employee leasing companies, which could have affected GAPS companies at a very high yearly licensing fee ($5,000 and up) – fought over a two year period as well as a summer of scheduled meetings in mid to late 90’s. 3. Social program paid out of the unemployment trust fund – fought in both the 2002 and 2003 session 4. Prohibition on hand – held cell phones while driving 5. Every year, Bills representing Union activity, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, other employment-related legislation, tax bills, and general business Bills are followed and lobbied. Janice holds a Doctorate in Law, and serves as a mediator for the Courts when she is not involved in Legislative activity.  Before going into private practice in 1991, she worked in governmental as well as business management.  Janice is married to Doug Winters, a former local Superintendent of Schools, who now teaches at the University level.       Home Page > Legislative
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