The House and Senate have agreed on a compromise expected to raise nearly $1 billion for Georgia’s ailing transportation network.
At 11 p.m. Tuesday, the House voted 129-41 to adopt the conference committee report. The Senate was to vote later.
Although details have not yet been released publicly, the agreement is expected to include a motor fuel tax of 26 cents per gallon on gasoline and 29 cents per gallon on diesel.
It will also include a new $5-a-night statewide hotel/motel tax expected by itself to bring in about $200 million a year, according to lawmakers who have been briefed about the plan but were not authorized to speak on the record.
The new transportation plan is expected to generate about $900 million a year in new revenue — below the $1 billion threshold initially sought by Gov. Nathan Deal.
Negotiators have been meeting since last week in search of a version of House Bill 170 both chambers can accept. Time has been short: Lawmakers are in session today and again Thursday, the final day of the 2015 session.
For any deal to pass this year, the two sides must have an agreement printed by 10 p.m. Thursday. Senate rules require conference committee reports be on senators’ desks for at least two hours, and lawmakers must adjourn by midnight Thursday.
Negotiators have been working late into the night in search of a compromise. Conferees were called back to the Capitol late Monday by Deal’s staff to continue the talks.
Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said Tuesday morning that “the ball is still rolling.” Now the deal is expected to be voted on before midnight Tuesday in both chambers.
About the Author
