When Georgia lawmakers approved most of MARTA’s 2014 legislative agenda last week, it seemed to signal a hopeful vote of confidence in the progress we’re making to ensure metro Atlanta’s transit system continues to improve.
House Bill 264, better known as the MARTA bill, included key initiatives the agency wanted to implement but which first required legislative action. Overall, the bill’s passage complements the transformational efforts now underway to streamline MARTA’s business practices, hold folks accountable for misbehaving and continue on a path of fiscal sustainability. Most important to me, the Legislature did not mandate any new oversight or actions that would limit my ability to run the agency.
Here are a few highlights of how the bill impacts MARTA:
• The 50/50 mandate – MARTA gets relief from the law requiring an even split of its revenues for operating and capital expenditures through June 30, 2017. While any reprieve is welcome, temporarily lifting this restriction has little practical impact on MARTA's short-term financial outlook. In principle, the mandate itself is outdated and unnecessary; a future Legislature should see fit to eliminate it permanently.
• Public-private partnerships – For the first time, MARTA will be authorized to receive unsolicited proposals to contract with the private sector in the creation and development of efficient and innovative ideas without undergoing the traditional bidding process. This provision empowers MARTA to potentially engage in "managed competition" ventures with its own employees who want to bid against private companies for contracts to provide goods and services.
• Ride with Respect fines – MARTA's new code of conduct policy features suspension for various violations. Although there are details still to be resolved, the law will allow MARTA to impose and collect fines from violators.
• Two-step union negotiations – To expedite the successful conclusion of labor contract talks, the bill eliminated an existing provision that required petitioning the governor for binding interest arbitration if an impasse occurs. Under such circumstances, the process moves from a neutral fact finder to a judge who makes the final ruling, likely saving time and money.
• Board governance – Under changes sought by legislative leaders, MARTA's board will add one new seat for a total of 13, including two non-voting members. Three DeKalb County board members will be appointed by the county commission; the fourth, by a caucus of mayors. One representative for south Fulton County will be appointed by commissioners; the remaining two, by a caucus of north Fulton mayors. In Atlanta, the mayor will select appointees affirmed by the City Council. The governor gains a new board appointee who must reside in either Fulton or DeKalb county. Board members will serve staggered terms. These changes will go into effect January 2017.
Although separate from MARTA’s legislative wish list, transit supporters cheered the passage of House Bill 265. This measure allows Clayton County to levy a one-cent sales tax to possibly join MARTA. Since the 2010 demise of Clayton’s C-Tran bus service, public calls for new transit service have been mounting. I personally receive constant comments about the need for Clayton to join MARTA.
Granted, the final version of HB 264 lacked some legislative items MARTA had originally hoped to advance. As our legislation bounced between both chambers, last-minute changes were inevitable. We applaud elected officials and others who support MARTA’s mission — even if they didn’t support this bill.
As CEO, I want to thank board members and key staff who guided us through the rough-and-tumble of this year’s legislative session. On behalf of our customers and employees, I’m also grateful for state lawmakers who last week entrusted us with the legislative tools needed to keep MARTA moving ahead.
Keith T. Parker is general manager and CEO of MARTA.
