The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that two prominent economic and policy experts will participate in a panel discussion at the Post-Session Legislative Breakfast occurring on Thursday, May 21st at 7:30 a.m. at the Augusta Marriott Hotel at the Convention Center. The topic of discussion will be "Tax and Spend - Georgia's Future Taxes and Where They Will Go." 

The breakfast, sponsored by Georgia Power and AT&T, will feature Dr. Roger Tutterow, Professor of Economics at Kennesaw State University, and Taifa Smith Butler, Deputy Director of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. Local elected officials will also be on hand to provide input. 

Roger Tutterow also serves as Director of the Econometric Center, an applied research center housed in KSU's Coles College of Business. In addition to his work in academia, Dr. Tutterow has served as a consultant on financial economics and statistical modeling for corporate clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to closely held businesses. He also serves as Chief Economic Advisor for the Henssler Financial Group, an Atlanta-based investment advisory firm and as a strategic advisor to Georgia Oak Partners, a Georgia-focused private equity firm. He has provided expert testimony on economic, financial and statistical matters in state and federal court, before the Georgia General Assembly and before the Georgia Public Service Commission.

Taifa Smith Butler provides strategic direction on public policy research and data analysis. As deputy director, Taifa leads a team of four analysts covering a wide range of policy areas including tax and economic development, health care, education and poverty. Prior to joining the GBPI team, she served as the policy and communications director for Georgia Family Connection Partnership where she co-managed the Georgia KIDS COUNT project and monitored public policy and its impact on children, families and communities. Additionally, Taifa has held various positions with the Georgia Academy for Children and Youth Professionals and MBIA Muni Services/Municipal Tax Bureau Company in Philadelphia.