Ralston ‘not inclined' to reopen regional transportation tax project list

House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, told a group of Cobb County business leaders on Wednesday that he is very cautious about changing the current project list for the proposed regional transportation tax before voters have their say later this year.

Ralston was asked about possible changes during a short speech before the group at Vinings Bank in Smyrna. Several Cobb legislators have criticized the county’s projects on the list, specifically money for a transit line, possibly light rail, from Cumberland to the Arts Center MARTA station. Sen. Lindsey Tippins, R-Marietta, said he is still considering whether to sponsor any legislation to make changes to the list. But getting enough lawmakers to sign on to changes could be difficult. Ralston said he is not inclined to reopen it.

The speaker also said one of his priorities this session will be relieving regulatory burdens on the state’s small businesses, which is important in the current economy. Ralston also discussed state efforts to cut the budget, grow reserves and implement zero-based budgeting for 10 percent of state programs this year to justify spending and find efficiencies.