GPHA has selected the following 2011 Legislative Priorities:

1. Support the findings of the Public Health Commission that Georgia’s Public Health agency should be an independent Department.

2. Support adequate funding for General Grant-in-Aid to counties for public health by the legislature. Emphasis should be placed on a “hold harmless” clause if a new distribution formula is implemented by DCH. (“Hold harmless” means that counties which would otherwise lose dollars under the new formula will not be allowed to go below the “floor” level of funding which is determined by the existing formula.)

3. Support implementation of a $1.00 per pack cigarette tax with corresponding increases in smokeless tobacco taxes as well.