The Georgia Senate has begun making appointments to a committee charged with recommending ways around the state’s transportation funding challenges.
Among possibilities as new revenue sources are a fractional sales tax, excise taxes and adjustments to the state motor fuel tax.
Senate Transportation Chairman Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, will be a co-chairman of what’s officially known as the Critical Transportation Infrastructure Funding Joint Study Committee. Serving with him will be state Sen. Jack Hill, R-Reidsville; Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta; Sen. Tyler Harper, R-Ocilla; and Sen. David Lucas, D- Macon.
Additionally, Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle is expected to appoint political campaign donor Steve Green to the committee as a citizen member. Green is a longtime member of the Georgia Ports Authority and past chairman of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. He has contributed $13,825 to Cagle since 2007 and $18,700 to Gov. Nathan Deal over the past three years.
House Transportation Committee Chairman Jay Roberts, R-Ocilla, will also be a co-chairman of the committee. No other House appointments have been announced.
The committee is expected to meet up to eight times over the next few months, with a Nov. 30 deadline to make recommendations to the state Legislature.
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