Questions arise over bailout for Atlanta

One Georgia congressman said Thursday he’s willing to find ways to help Atlanta and other cities grappling with the nation’s economic crisis, but a fellow Georgia lawmaker congressman countered he’s reluctant to support the idea, saying “where does it stop?”

The discussion came a day after Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin announced cuts — including furloughs starting in December for most city workers — to combat a projected $50 million budget shortfall. Franklin shared a letter she wrote earlier this week to U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee pushing a rescue plan for Atlanta and other cities that includes federal funds for public safety, job training and local public infrastructure.

U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Atlanta) said although it is too early to determine what kind of federal support is available to Atlanta, he is talking to Rangel and others in Congress about what can be done.

“These are tough times for all of us who live in Atlanta,” Lewis said.

However, U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Grantville), whose district covers much of Atlanta’s southern suburbs, was less supportive.

“This is the problem when we start giving bailouts: There are many deserving recipients,” Westmoreland said in a statement Thursday. “Mayor Franklin does a great job for Atlanta; I know the city is hurting because there are cities and counties in my district that are hurting just as bad. Do they get left out? If we give more money to the auto industry, what about the construction industry? The aviation industry? Where does it stop?”

A spokesman for Democrats serving on the congressional committee said Rangel is preparing a response to Franklin and looks “forward to trying to help.”

City Council President Lisa Borders said Thursday she will recommend the council use some of the $2 million in its reserves to offset the shortfall. The furloughs will cut the pay by 10 percent for about 4,600 city workers, including the mayor.