As the Georgia General Assembly is nearing the halfway point of this year’s legislative session, I would like to update you on a few issues that are moving through the legislative process concerning transportation.

As chairman of the DOT legislative committee, our committee members had several meetings with the House and Senate and transportation leadership team so that we could bring them a concise legislative package.

We only brought four items forward as part of our 2010 legislative agenda. This strategy enables us to focus with laser beam like precision on the pink elephant sitting on the highway: how do we get more transportation funding and get critical projects moving?

On Wednesday, Gov. Perdue brought forward the “Governor’s Transportation Act of 2010” (HB 1218). This is a referendum on a one percent sales tax that would go on the 2012 ballot and ultimately be decided by the voters. The heart of this legislation includes the creation of 12 “Special Tax Districts” for transportation along boundaries of the Regional Commissions throughout the state. What gives the initiative real legs are its provisions to disallow county “opt-outs.” If the voters pass it, that’s it. No haggling and no wrangling. It’s one for all (in the district) and all for one. The bill also allows for a Director of Planning to guide the development of each district’s investment list in collaboration with local governments.

So the voters pass (or reject) the tax, and the local governments have great influence over how and where the money is invested.

Of course, either way you look at this, it’s a new tax. As conservatives, we made sure there is a clear mechanism to eliminate the tax when the job is done. Therefore, it “sunsets” in eight-years. It would be renewed at the ballot box by voters to continue. Imagine if we had that provision when the Federal income tax was enacted for the sole purpose of funding WWI?

Even better, all revenues have to be invested in the regions where the funds were collected. So now “donor” regions and no “bait and switch.” The bill also calls for the redrawing of districts to create true balance along the boundaries of the Regional Commissions that govern them. Finally, the new proposed law calls for a three-year suspension of the fifty-fifty operating expense to capital outlay restriction that is now handcuffing MARTA’s ability to operate in a battered economy.

My analysis is this legislation would be very similar to a school SPLOST in that the voters would be given a list of projects in the region, the money would be dedicated to those projects and the voters will have the opportunity to vote for or against the project list.  Based on 2009 sales tax numbers, our region would receive an additional $752.3 million a year to invest in transportation improvements.

WHAT ELSE IS IN THE PIPELINE?

I am also pleased to report all of our three key initiatives are moving forward as well. These include:

SB 305 - Alternative Delivery Methods: passed out of the Senate with a 52-0 vote.

SR 821 - Multiyear Construction Agreements: passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee on 2/16/10.

SB 22 - Rural Transportation Coordination: passed out the Senate Transportation Committee on 1/28/10.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please e-mail me at brandonlbeach@aol.com.