House leaders on Monday are expected to unveil a revised version of their plan to raise more than $1 billion in new revenue for transportation projects, the AJC has learned.
The new plan would allow counties to levy a 6 cents per gallon excise tax on motor fuel by a simple vote of the county commission. The revenue generated would be divided among counties and cities according to formulas already in place, according to two people with direct knowledge of the negotiations who were not authorized to speak on the record.
That 6-cents per gallon tax would replace what is currently in House Bill 170, which allows each city and county to levy 3-cents per gallon excise taxes by referendum and additional 3-cents each by public referendum.
The change is expected to please counties, who have been concerned of the impact on their bottom line. Whether cities and school districts, which have expressed opposition to the bill, go along remains to be seen.
In addition, the AJC has learned an official state estimate of how much the bill will raise should be complete early next week. There is concern among supporters that, as written, HB 170 will not actually raise $1 billion.
Other changes are likely and House leaders plan an aggressive timeline that would have the bill up for a vote in the House in the next few weeks.
About the Author
