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Gooch named legislator of the year
Steve Gooch MUG
Gooch

Sen. Steve Gooch was recently named one of three legislators of the year by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Presented annually at the conclusion of the legislative session, the award recognizes legislators "who understand the importance of a strong partnership between the state and the business community," said board chair Paul Bowers.

The chamber made the announcement of its 2015 Legislators of the Year on June 3.

Rep. Bruce Williamson of Monroe and Sen. John F. Kennedy of Macon also received the award.

"Their leadership at the Georgia General Assembly has played a key role in keeping Georgia the most competitive state in the nation for business," Bowers said.

All three legislators actively supported a number of the organization's top priorities.

"The strong and courageous leadership of Sen. Gooch was essential to this year's passage of legislation creating substantial transportation and infrastructure funding for our state," said Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark. "Transportation funding has been a longtime priority for Georgia's business community and we are grateful for the strides Sen. Gooch made on this issue."

Gooch co-chaired the state's Critical Transportation Infrastructure Joint Study Committee, which helped develop the Transportation Funding Act of 2015.

"I am deeply honored to receive this award on behalf of all of the General Assembly who worked hard this year to solve one of the biggest challenges facing the state and nation," he said.

The General Assembly passed the bill in April that allocates an additional $1 billion annually to the state's transportation needs.

"Georgia's economic future depends on our ability to move people and goods quickly and safely throughout our state," Gooch said. "Strengthening our transportation network impacts each and every one of us by creating an environment that encourages private sector job growth and allowing us to make it home in time for family dinner and little league games."