Fulton County could raise more money to expand MARTA under proposed legislation that would pave the way for more transit in the metro area in the coming years.

The proposal would let Fulton County increase sales taxes that go to MARTA by up to a quarter of a penny per dollar spent, if voters approved the plan.

For more than a year, Fulton has been studying transit expansion. Mayors and other county leaders recently agreed to move forward with a plan that could bring bus rapid transit and other enhancements to the existing MARTA system in the county.

Though some mayors have since questioned the Fulton County plan, the proposed legislation, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Tanner, R-Dawsonville, chair of the House Transportation Committee, takes into account that all local governments might not be on the same page when it comes to transit expansion.

It calls for agreement between leaders of cities and the unincorporated area that make up 70 percent of Fulton’s population outside of Atlanta in order to go forward with a vote to increase the tax.

To hold a vote, there also must be a list of projects that the money would pay for.

To read more about the proposal, and its implications across the metro area, click here.

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