House passes tax extension to keep Falcons downtown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Georgia House passed legislation Monday that’s viewed as critical to negotiations to keep the Atlanta Falcons playing in downtown Atlanta.
The bill, by Rep. Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek), would extend the expiration of Fulton County's hotel/motel tax from the current 2020 to 2050. It passed 151 to 13, with little debate.
It now goes to the Senate.
Burkhalter said the bill is “both far-reaching and positive for our state.”
He said it makes clear that money would be available to renovate or replace the Georgia Dome, home to the Atlanta Falcons. The Georgia World Congress Center Authority, which oversees the Dome, has commissioned a study to determine the facility's future, including building an open-air stadium.
Extending the hotel/motel tax is being pushed now because negotiations with the Falcons' ownership, which has been rumored to be considering other locations, would likely take at least five years.
Falcons President Rich McKay said Monday, “While there are more steps to go in the legislative process, this is definitely a positive step toward fruitful discussions with all parties involved regarding a new NFL stadium.”
The bill was amended on the floor of the House so that new Fulton County cities Sandy Springs, Milton and Johns Creek would be able to opt out of the hotel/motel tax in 2020.
Burkhalter told House members that the Georgia Dome is critical to the state’s tourism industry and economic prosperity.
Mark Geiger, a spokesman for the GWCCA, said, "We're happy with any decision that enables us to perform our mission, and we're here to generate economic benefits for the state of Georgia and the citizens of Atlanta."
Atlanta sports guru Bob Hope said the House measure is an essential step in keeping one of Atlanta's and the state's economic engines strong.
"In this economy, it's crazy to think about having a Georgia Dome and not having the primary occupant there," he said.
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