Georgia Utility Contractors Association Inc. (GUCA) held its annual Lobby Day Jan. 23 at the Georgia Capitol.

More than 40 GUCA members enjoyed breakfast before being welcomed by GUCA President Shirley Cooley of Rockdale Pipeline Inc. After the welcome, GUCA Lobbyist Mo Thrash presented the group with the 2007 legislative session updates.

GUCA was honored to have special guest speakers from the House and Senate who discussed key legislative session issues that pertain to utility contractors. Presenters included Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Sen. Mitch Seabaugh, GUCA Member Sen. Chip Pearson, Sen. David Shafer, Rep. Jeff Lewis, Rep. Jerry Keen, Rep. Mark Burkhalter and Secretary of State Karen Handel.

Topics discussed included setting the fiscal budget, state income tax code revisions, small business ventures and economic growth and development, contractor licensing law and lien law changes.

There were discussions among the group regarding upcoming changes to Georgia’s procurement code.

Following the presentations, GUCA members were escorted to the House and Senate chambers for a tour of the Capitol. Members went to the Senate chamber to watch the opening of the session.

GUCA member John O’Shea, ABC Cutting Contractors of Atlanta Inc., said, “The 2007 GUCA Lobby Day was absolutely a wonderful breakfast meeting with such a prestigious group of speakers from the Georgia House and Senate including our Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State. I most recently relocated from our South Florida office and have been actively involved with the utility contractor associations for 14 years. It gives me great pleasure to see that the GUCA has the political strength and strong membership support from members in Georgia.”

For more information, visit www.guca.com.