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DEL.ICIO.USWith the GREAT plan gone, it’s time to talk roads
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was always said that any discussion of new funding for transportation funding couldn’t take place until House Speaker Glenn Richardson’s tax reform plan was off the table.
And just one day after Richardson’s efforts hit the wall, leaders of the House and Senate announced this morning that they’ve got their eyes on a compromise plan to inject more money into Georgia roads, bridges and, perhaps, other forms of transit.
The Senate plan, backed by Senate Transportation Chairman Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), would permit individual counties to approve a one-percent special local option sales tax. But it would also take 20 percent of the proceeds and give that money to state government — for its transportation priorities.
That 20 percent is a big sticking point with local governments.
But it’s there because Gov. Sonny Perdue is suspicious of sales taxes, and thinks they rob have-not counties in favor of those with large retail centers.
House Transportation Chairman Vance Smith (R-Pine Mountain) has abandoned his initial proposal that would have called for a statewide one-cent sales tax. His new plan calls for a regional approach, in which referendums for the tax would be held in community development districts.
“The bill I have, that will be introduced, will have 100 percent of the dollars going to a region. That’s where the compromise comes in,” Smith said.
Said Mullis: “The compromise is very flexible currently. We’re at the beginning of this phase. I suggest to you that the carrot approach would be to probably be to form regions, and that money will probably end up within those regions.”
The morning press conference was well-attended by the state’s business community, but lacked one prominent politician — the governor.
“He’s been kept well informed. We’ve not had anybody tell us ‘Don’t do it,’ so we’re moving ahead,” Smith said.
Earlier this year, Perdue had argued that the state Department of Transportation needs to get its act together before it’s permitted to handle more cash. But the business community disagrees.
“We need to make the most of our current revenue sources. But we have to be innovative in identifying new funding solutions,“ said Kessel Stelling, president and CEO of the Bank of North Georgia — and co-chairman of Get Georgia Moving, the business coalition behind the compromise.
Comments
By Mike K.
March 6, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
“But it’s there because Gov. Sonny Perdue is suspicious of sales taxes, and thinks they rob have-not counties in favor of those with large retail centers.”
Funny how Metro Atlanta is cr@pped on until Billy Joe Jim Bob needs money to pave his local road.
By Lizzie B.
March 6, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Perdue is rational in his thinking — he is the Governor of the STATE, not Metro Atlanta which means he must keep an eye on the big picture. And of course Metro Atlanta has the highest need for transportation projects and generates more revenue. But I think we should do a pilot program of the tax including the disbursment of the tax revenue to see how it really operates — the Congressional (Un)Balancing is not working [especially since it’s never been balanced and southern, rural GA counties are making away with Metro Atl’s money like bank robbers.] so we need to see if it will work and perhaps, a big perhaps, work together to find a sustainable revenue stream.
By Genius
March 6, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
I believe moving sidewalks would solve our oil problem. Also desalination is a solution to our water problem. Melbourne pipes the ocean to the city. We could follow the road as it goes to Savannah. Creates a jobs program along the way for Georgia Southern students and the GOT allows Atlanta to continue it’s rise from the ashes. Yes WE Can. Will WE. Yeah Come On.