Committee: Raise taxes to pay for transportation (transit, deals)

[MattCW]

I'll have to look at the language when I get home but I have a bad feeling that this would include areas even inside MARTA meaning even Ga-400 or I-20 East would require a vote.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by MattCW

I'll have to look at the language when I get home but I have a bad feeling that this would include areas even inside MARTA meaning even Ga-400 or I-20 East would require a vote.

Yeah, I want to see the language too. Does this mean that all of Fulton will have to vote each time CoA wants to build a phase of the Beltline transit (Even though it is funded from CoA and not Fulton)?

[bu2]

Originally Posted by Cameron H

I think it's meant to target commuter rail or HSR. But yeah, this bill is a dog at this point.

Maybe they've been reading on here about sliding MARTA into the Cumberland improvement district without Cobb County being involved.

[bu2]

They're trying to do something similar in Texas to stop the Houston-Dallas bullet train. Some of the rural counties without stops are fighting it.

Politicians need to just make decisions and face the consequences at the polls instead of shuffling decisions off to whoever happens to show up for referendums.

[jsvh]

I am all for large amounts of tax spending being put up for a vote. But trying to sabotage one form of transportation, even if you are not paying for it is BS.

I vote we just dissolve the state government.

Should be a GOP dream. It would eliminate a lot of taxes. And what would we lose that is not already handled by local or federal levels of government?

(Half-way joking)

[skbl17]

HB 170 is up for a vote today. Keep an eye on the House floor. Also, there's another bill, HB 213, that will be voted on today; HB 213 is the "permanent suspension" of the MARTA 50/50 rule.

As for the MARTA question, the Setzler amendment - the one requiring referendums on all fixed guideway transit (rail/BRT) - will not apply to counties within the MARTA system. So no, I-20 East, Clifton, and GA 400 should not be affected.

- skbl17

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by jsvh

And what would we lose that is not already handled by local or federal levels of government?

(Half-way joking)

Sonny Perdue's Go Fish Georgia program.... I'd really miss that.

[skbl17]

Here we go. One hour debate at max. I love how the entire chamber went silent, as if the most important piece of legislation of our time is about to be debated.

- skbl17

[Airforceguy]

H.B. 170 passes....123-40. Both the Ramsey and Seltzer amendments failed.

[Airforceguy]

The House voted 123-45 to pass the bill and send it on to the Georgia Senate after lawmakers rejected an amendment proposed by two key Republican leaders that would have reduced its revenue impact to about $500 million.
"I believe the need is there to get to $1 billion," said House Transportation Committee Chairman Jay Roberts, R-Ocilla, in urging his legislative colleagues to reject the amendment offered by Majority Leader Larry O'Neal, R-Bonaire, and Majority Whip Matt Ramsey, R-Peachtree City. "If we pass that amendment, we'll be reaching about half our goal."

Georgia House passes comprehensive transportation funding bill - Atlanta Business Chronicle