Statement March 5 from Chris Clark, CEO, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and Hala Moddelmog, CEO, Metro Atlanta Chamber, on the passage of House Bill 170 by the Georgia House:
“We commend Chairman Jay Roberts, Speaker David Ralston and members of the House of Representatives from both parties for their steadfast commitment to delivering legislation that creates a dedicated, predictable and sustained funding stream for transportation maintenance and modernization. We remain vigilant in our commitment to the $1 to $1.5 billion solution that is the minimum we need to ensure safety, transparency, and economic growth well in to the future. The need as identified by the Joint Study Committee has not changed -and Georgians simply cannot afford to settle for less.”
From the website Texas Good Roads: By now, Texans know a lot about gas taxes, tolls, and registration fees. But what about the hidden costs no one talks about? The ones that are left to the consumer, to absorb? The truth is, Texans already spend more than they should on Texas highways. By failing to invest in highways, the cost is shifted to consumers in the form of wasted time stuck in traffic, damage to vehicles, accelerated tire wear, and increased likelihood of being in a serious accident. These cost Texans across the state thousands of dollars more than any highway funding increases proposed by state leaders. To save money, we must invest in our Texas highways now.
From March 4: Be it therefore resolved that the Board of Commissioners of Fayette County does hereby formally request that the state endeavor to become a national leader in transportation reform by making transportation a priority in the state's budget, adopting specific plans dictating which projects will receive funding, concentrating on road and bridge infrastructure, eliminating proposed projects such as transit rail with no rationale for implementation or justification based on certifiable traffic congestion relief standards, avoiding cost soaring federal mandates with the state taking over the portion of the federal gasoline tax. Be it further resolved … that the State conduct itself in a manner where there is no harm inflicted upon county governments, city governments and school boards across Georgia.
