A Compassionate Clarification: The Georgia Governor's Order

Friends,

I am seeing a lot of confusion about Governor Kemp’s latest Executive Order. As a businesswoman and coach, I’ve learned that facts and a little investigation tend to lead to better decisions. So, I have done what I would do as your next Representative. I have read the Order and thought I would respond to some of the concerns and questions I have been asked. Hope this is helpful.

1: Does the Governor’s Order mean my business has to pay rent? Anyone with a lease has been obligated to pay rent whether they have been open for business or not. (Kemp’s order allowing certain businesses to re-open has no impact on whether businesses must pay their rent.)

2: Does the Governor’s Order mean I have to pay more unemployment insurance for my furloughed employees? Unemployment Insurance is paid in advance. This means that business owners have already paid for the unemployment insurance for furloughed employees. (Having a large number of claims might increase your state unemployment rate in the future, but the premiums for any employees who are laid off now has already been paid, and whether your business decides to re-open does not change the benefits previously laid-off employees receive.)

3: Does the Governor’s Order mean I am forced to be open? Nobody can force your business to re-open or rehire furloughed employees. We are not under martial law. The order gives us the right to have some of our businesses open back up. (For some, such as restaurants, with some very specific social distancing guidelines.)

4: Does the Governor’s Order mean I can’t get assistance? The loans and financial support options take into account the loss of revenue for operating businesses. If your business goes under, you cannot apply for assistance. We are all disappointed by how some corporations raided the allocated funds. This is being remedied with further amendments so that businesses who cannot demonstrate financial need may not have their loans forgiven. This has prompted several large corporations to return the funds they received. Hopefully, many of us without large capital reserves will soon see relief.

PLEASE – read the Governor’s order. Nobody is being forced to open and nobody is being forced to patronize; however, many of our small businesses need the opportunity to survive. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to me in a private message but please don’t buy into the rhetoric and misinformation being posted online.

I know these are difficult times and many of us are feeling the pain of seeing our businesses suffer and watching others suffer as well. I promise to do all I can to support and help you.

Separating facts from feelings is the first step.