February

23, 2018


Dear Senator:

The forward-looking leadership of the Georgia General Assembly deserves much credit for our
state’s tremendous economic success in recent years. We’ve experienced strong growth in job
numbers and income levels, and those achievements have led to record state revenue growth.

We know from looking at the examples in other that states that adopting various forms
of discriminatory legislation greatly impedes economic performance. The “Keep Faith in
Adoption and Foster Care Act” (SB 375) implicitly allows for discrimination against some tax-
paying Georgia families.

This legislation will negatively impact our state’s well-earned reputation as a welcoming and
inclusive place to do business. There’s no doubt that SB 375 would diminish our ability to attract
the significant economic development prospects that we’re competing for today. We could
potentially lose billions in investment – money that would go to Georgia families – despite the
fact that no religious groups in the state have faced sanctions for their adoption or foster care
policies.

After Gov. Deal’s veto of HB 757 in 2016, Georgia witnessed one huge job announcements
throughout the year, while North Carolina saw its job growth slow significantly after enacting a
discriminatory law. Georgia avoided negative publicity, while still respecting and upholding our
citizens’ rights to the free exercise of their religion.

The pro- jobs policies this legislature has promoted have led to better transportation
infrastructure, lower taxes, improved educational options, and low energy rates. We hope the
decisions you have made on these issues will not be undermined by this vote.
We respectfully request that you vote NO on SB 375.

Respectfully Submitted,

Katie Kirkpatrick, P.E. David Raynor
Chief Policy Officer Senior Vice President, Public Affairs