Gov. Deal helping on transportation referendum

Gov. Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed are helping raise money for next year’s campaign to pass a transportation referendum, campaign organizers said. The two were expected at a fundraiser Monday evening, said Paul Bennecke, a consultant on the campaign, to explain the importance of the 2012 measure, which would raise a 1 percent sales tax in the 10-county Atlanta region for transportation projects over 10 years.

Reed was instrumental in passing the referendum law. Deal is on board for the long haul but it has not been decided whether he will appear in advertisements, Bennecke said.