Georgia governor declares state of emergency amidst continuing supply chain crisis

04/22/2022 / By Mary Villareal

Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency as supply chain disruptions continue in Georgia. Kemp said the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) was the reason for the economic distress and supply chain issues, despite being the one to lock down Georgia at the beginning of 2020.

“Despite the state’s successful mitigation of the public health impacts of COVID-19, Georgia supply chain has yet to fully recover and is still experiencing severe disruptions,” the order stated. A section in his order stated that “all orders, rules and regulations promulgated by the governor” have the force and effect of law, giving the appearance that Georgia is now ruled by a decree.

The order also said that Kemp can now “assume direct operational control of all civil forces and helpers in the state” and that he can do what is necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population.

It also prohibits price gouging of goods and services, such as gasoline. Moreover, it temporarily suspends limitations on truck driver work hours in the state, although it did say that ill or fatigued drivers cannot be required to drive.

Kemp’s executive order allows trucks with a gross vehicle weight of up to 95,000 pounds and a maximum width of 10 feet to operate on Georgia’s state and local roads. The current gross vehicle weight limit is only 80,000 pounds, with a maximum width of a five-axle truck at 8 feet 5 inches.

However, the order does not apply to trucks operating on the parts of the interstate highway system that runs through Georgia.

Vehicles with widths exceeding 8 feet, 6 inches and traveling “after daylight” will also need to be equipped with an escort or amber lights when operating on a two-lane road and with a “vehicle rear escort” when traveling on a four-lane highway. This appears to give state safety officials some leeway to grant special operating permits to oversized vehicles.

It remains unclear as to what practical economic impact the order will have on the state. Kemp, a Republican, is up for reelection in the fall and may be trying to demonstrate to voters that he is responding to the state’s supply chain challenges. (Related: Global supply chain crisis expected to last another TWO YEARS.)

Supply chain woes affect local businesses

The supply chain woes have continued to affect small business owners in Central Georgia.

A Macon, Georgia bakery owner said the pandemic still has a huge impact on the supply chain. Tommy Sadler, the owner of Tommy’s Bakery & Cafe said the supply chain has impacted most businesses and that he learned to do more with less.

“They might be doing the work of two instead of one. That’s what you have to do – train them, cross-train them. All of my employees know how to do everything,” he said.

While prices for meat and dairy products have skyrocketed, it’s not just food products that are increasing costs – other things like containers, plates and cups have also become more expensive, and all together, the costs have made it harder for him to keep his business afloat. (Related: Small businesses suffering due to supply chain crisis.)

J.J. Arias, an economic professor at Georgia College added there is still a scarcity of labor. “Once they feel that the economy is not in danger of another recession and maybe inflation is under control, then firms will be more optimistic and they’ll increase their production,” he said.

With the governor’s executive order, there is a possibility for an increase in transportation of supplies.

Arias said this could have a positive effect, although the anti-price gouging laws could lead to more empty shelves and may encourage people to hoard when the price is cheaper. It will also discourage suppliers from bringing the goods since the supply has to sell at lower prices.

Follow SupplyChainWarning.com for more information about the ongoing supply chain crisis.

Watch the video below to know more about Kemp’s state of emergency declaration.

This video is from the Terral03.com channel on Brighteon.com.