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Transportation bill cruises through Senate
By Nancy Badertscher
The Macon Telegraph
ATLANTA - The governor's plan for curbing Atlanta's traffic and pollution problems passed the Georgia Senate on Friday, despite some protests that other parts of Georgia should be guaranteed a role in the decision-making.
The authority would have the power to take over transportation planning in any county - including Bibb - if state officials determine that the county has failed or is likely to fail federal clean-air standards within the next few years. Thirteen counties in metro Atlanta would fall immediately under the authority's jurisdiction. | |
The authority would have the power to take over transportation planning in any county - including Bibb - if state officials determine that the county has failed or is likely to fail federal clean-air standards within the next few years. Thirteen counties in metro Atlanta would fall immediately under the authority's jurisdiction.
Senate Republicans introduced three amendments, all of which failed.
One by Sen. Sonny Perdue, R-Bonaire, would have required that 11 of the 15 authority members come from each of the state's 11 congressional districts. The other four would serve in at-large seats.
The bill gives Gov. Roy Barnes the power to appoint all 15 members, without geographic limitations. A Senate committee amendment did, however, make all appointments subject to confirmation by the Senate.
"While we're creating a very powerful authority, I think it's incumbent upon us who represent other parts of the state ... to look at the composition of this board," Perdue said. "I do strongly believe that out of almost 700,000 people in a congressional district, you can find one person who is qualified to serve and to sit on this board, just as we do with the Department of Natural Resources, the Board of Regents, the Department of Education and most of the other boards that we have that dictate policy and guide this state."
Sen. Charlie Tanksley, R-Marietta, one of the governor's floor leaders, said appointments by congressional district can create turf wars.
"I suggest this has always been the Achilles' heel way," Tanksley said.
Some opponents balked at the authority's power over counties and the possibility that it could coerce counties to levy taxes through either hotel/motel taxes or "sin taxes" on alcohol and cigarettes.
"The authority would have a thousand-pound sledgehammer hanging over the heads of our counties," said Sen. Robert Lamutt, R-Marietta.
Sen. Don Balfour, R-Lilburn, who lives in traffic-congested Gwinnett County, said he could not support the creation of the transportation authority.
"What I see is a bigger government with less voice for the people," he said.
But another Gwinnett state senator, Republican Billy Ray of Lawrenceville, said "there is no waiting until next year.
"We've got to do it now," Ray said. "To vote 'No' without a better idea would be ... a vote for the status quo and a vote for disaster."
The bill now goes to the House, where a vote could be taken as early as next week.
"We're half way there...," said Barnes spokesman Gary Horlacher. "We're not celebrating."
Barnes has asked the Legislature to earmark $1 million to get the transportation authority off the ground. He has said the authority will not move in if local governments, regional planners and the state Department of Transportation can resolve pollution and transportation problems.
"Either we do something to solve our problems or every developmental highway, every road-improvement project and every bridge, every tunnel or passing lane you ever promised your communities is coming to a screeching halt," he said last month in his State-of-the-State address.
"Either you help me do something now or this boomtown known as Atlanta becomes a ghost town," he said.
"And if your growth stops here, it stops everywhere in the state."
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Here is some information and sites to help you keep track of the General Assembly:
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