Political Insider

By Road Warrior

February 21, 2009 7:56 PM | Link to this

Governor Perdue introduced his highly touted Transportation reorganization legislation. In his remarks he lamented about putting money toward the problem and not seeing results. Yes money was put there in the form of credit/bonds which GDOT has to pay the debt on, to the tune of 30 percent of the motor fuel revenues. And yes some of the program has been delivered, but not to the level expected either by GDOT or the Legislature. It is kind of like what happened with education.

In the proposed legislation, 25% of the motor fuel revenue would be for local transportation which is a great move, but will lessen what Georgia has to use for federal aid match dollars. Also it would affect the amount needed to maintain the existing transportation system. Georgia Transportation will still require additional revenue!

Remember according to Georgia law, Georgia DOT must pay out of motor fuel revenues 1) rents/leases 2) debt service 3) department operations and maintenance, while new construction laneage is last.

The new law eliminate the funding for DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE. Poorly maintained roads will lead to FHWA removing federal funds from Georgia just as they did in the 1920’s in Texas.

Is the answer the legislation that is being proposed? Should this decision be in the form of a constitutional amendment put before the people? Before you decide please read a report generated from Connecticut by the Governor there. In Georgia you will see most of Connecticut’s transportation issues don’t exist in Georgia. Georgia’s problems center around wanting Cadillac transportation and being able to afford Kia transportation. Georgia’s problems center around project delivery which is an issue nationwide. Delivery of projects in Atlanta were delayed during those years that non-attainment for air quality didn’t allow projects to be built.

There is a study from Connecticut that is well worth reading. Reorganizing Department of Transportation’s is a topic of discussion in Texas, North and South Carolina, Connecticut, New York City DOT and of course Georgia.

However, in Georgia, except for the IT3 round of public forums on transportation generally, there has been no public input into what is now being proposed. Perhaps the proposed legislation would be better served to have in it a study committee element similar to ConnDOT. This committee would have 6 months to come up with recommendations for the new Georgia Surface Transportation Agency. It may well should include bringing in other elements such as DHR’s Transportation Programs, DOE’s Transportation Programs, Department of Motor Vehicles, Trucking Enforcement, Hartsfield Jackson Airport, the proposed state air transportation authority and the Georgia Ports Authority.

If Georgian’s really want to reorganize Georgia transportation, lets make it comprehensive and not so targeted to just one element. Again please read their study. Also you will find similar information on this issue in Texas DOT.

Perdues legislation stinks of a major debacle in the making. Transportation will suffer tremendously waiting for 2 years for another study instead of ponying up to the bar and finding funding for our needs that are out there now. The legislature is advised to defeat this as written.

By Voter#490752

February 22, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this

This bill usurps the INTENT and SPIRIT of Article IV Section IV of Georgia’s Constitution which establishes a State Transportation board.

If you have a flat tire, fix it. Don’t buy another car.

This is not the time to deshevel transportation funding and approval processes, weaken Georgia’s Constitution, and put at risk hundreds of millions of transportation dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Governor should do the proper thing and propose a constitutional amendment, get House and Senate approval, and put it on the ballot for voters to decide.

By huey

February 22, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this

I like the part that says the commissioner has to work full time. Was that some kind of dig at Sonny? You know, with the recent report that he is working on his grain elevator business while working as governor. Who knew that Georgia governor is a part time position?