Casey Cagle appoints committee of senators to consider state takeover of Atlanta's airport (Columbus: transfer, tenant)

[Airforceguy]

I hope this stupid idea doesn't go anywhere...

Atlanta's airport has generated over 400,000 jobs and $70 billion in economic impact for our state," Cagle said. "Year after year, Hartsfield-Jackson earns the title of busiest airport in the world and sets new records for productivity and connectivity across the globe. I have full confidence ... this committee will work diligently to give our state's economy every competitive edge by adding value to this tremendous asset."

Sen. Burt Jones, R-Jackson, who introduced legislation this year calling for a state takeover of Hartsfield-Jackson, will chair the study committee. Jones also sponsored the resolution creating the committee when the takeover bill failed to move in the Senate.

Jones argued a state authority, modeled after the agency that oversees Georgia's ports, could avoid allegations of fraud in contracting that have plagued the airport under the city's management.

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/...-atlantas.html

[Forhall]

This is not a man that wants to work "with" the mayor of Georgia's largest and most powerful city, like Deal has. Cagle as governor means constant fighting between Atlanta and Georgia. Gross.

[autolycus25]

I don’t think the state should take over the airport, but someone from the state should probably look at the contract processes more closely. Perhaps GBI?

[Atlwarrior]

Seems like all this is political and geared toward anything that is about Atlanta. However, Delta has already given its opinion and as the largest tenant, it carries significantly more weight than some politician.

"Delta CEO Ed Bastian said he opposes a state takeover of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, as Georgia’s legislature plans a committee to study the idea."

“Atlanta is the largest, most successful airport in the world, and anything that would harm that in terms of trying to move it for political gain between the city and state, we’re opposed,” Bastian said after a talk with Virgin Group founder Richard Branson at a Junior Achievement of Georgia event Wednesday morning. “We think the operation with the city runs quite efficiently.”

[Atlwarrior]

Originally Posted by Forhall

This is not a man that wants to work "with" the mayor of Georgia's largest and most powerful city, like Deal has. Cagle as governor means constant fighting between Atlanta and Georgia. Gross.

Yep it appears he trying to use the old Anti- Atlanta technique - This is dangerous especially since the balance of political state power is moving back ITP. This strategy will backfire big time.

[AnsleyPark]

Under what legal authority could the State do this?

[cqholt]

The state doesn't want to clean up the bidding process, they just want to take it over and shift the contracts to their campaign donors. State Reps know their seats are getting challenged more, so they need to raise more money to fight off the blue wave.

[Atlwarrior]

Originally Posted by cqholt

The state doesn't want to clean up the bidding process, they just want to take it over and shift the contracts to their campaign donors. State Reps know their seats are getting challenged more, so they need to raise more money to fight off the blue wave.

Interesting point, they could easily clean up the bidding process. I'm confident Bottoms litigation experience and here colleagues will come up with viable solutions. Ed Bastain is on her side and he is a pretty smart dude.

[Moosehd]

Can Atlanta/airport do something to prevent this from happening?

[AnsleyPark]

I found this language in the resolution introducing the Senate Bill to create the committee very interesting:

"WHEREAS, in the interest of pubic welfare, national security, and economic stability, the transfer of operations of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to an authority might best serve and protect the citizens of the State of Georgia"

"Public welfare," "national security," and "economic stability"??? Huh????

Also, no Atlanta congress member is on the committee:

Chairman: Burt Jones;
Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta);
Gloria Butler (D-Stone Mountain);
Mike Dugan (R-Carrollton);
Ed Harbison (D-Columbus);
Tyler Harper (R-Ocilla);
Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega);
John Kennedy (R-Macon);
David Lucas (D-Macon);
Butch Miller (R-Gainesville);
Jeff Mullis (R-Chicamauga);
Valencia Seay (D-Riversdale);
Freddie Powell-Sims (D-Dawson).