I posted earlier on Responses to the Gov. Transportation plans...
I recieved a few initial reactions since then--
In an email State Representative Stephanie Stuckey Benfield wrote in to say...
I haven't had a chance to get any feedback from other Dems on this, so these are just my initial reactions --
The bond package would be paid back through general revenue funds. With the budget being so tight, is this going to put an additional strain on our severely depleted state revenues?
I've long advocated for a T-SPLOST allowing regions to pull together and impose a self tax to fund transportation projects. It looks like the specific projects will be publicized in advance of the vote (although this is not entirely clear). The people should know exactly what they're voting on -- and I would support a T-SPLOST only if there was a significant investment in alternative forms of transportation, not just building more roads. His press release makes NO mention of alternative transportation - rapid rail, expanding MARTA & other bus lines, more bike / walking paths, etc., which concerns me.
The other issue is how would the various regions work together to make sure that - even though regional approaches are important & necessary - the state is also working together for a cohesive plan. If some counties opt out of creating a T-SPLOST, are they left out in the cold, so to speak, in these transportation planning issues?
Finally - just a general observation that with transportation being a priority issue for a long time in GA, it's frustrating that Gov. Perdue has unveiled a transportation proposal in his 8th & final year in office. He had a real opportunity to take a leadership role on this issue early in his tenure but waited until it may be too late in the game to have any real influence since he's now essentially a lame duck.
State Senator Gail Buckner emailed in to say:
Governor Perdue has indicated that he will set aside $300 million on the bond package for transportation projects and he will support the regional taxation plan of 10 more more counties coming together to levy a tax dedicated to transportation. Frankly, this is the best plan out there right now because the House has abandoned their plan for a statewide tax and the Senate legislation for the regional tax is stuck in the House. This early in the game, I would have to "assume" that the House will adopt the Senate version of the transportation tax.
We have to do something because Georgia is loosing status everyday because of our poor transportation network. Charlotte, North Carolina is taking business from us on a regular basis. The impossible traffic contributed to me missing a speaking commitment that I had at Union Grove Middle School in December. I really feel for the folks that have to sit in this traffic everyday.. We've got to act on transportation.
Also from an email on one of the transit reform emails lists I'm on...
One of the things we need to worry about is the bond issues Perdue proposes. Todd Long at the initial Regional Transit Committee meeting classified the money is for freight movement which if it meant rail line improvement would also benefit commuter and inter-city rail. When Sam Olens tried to clarify what freight meant he asked Todd if this meant building the Fall Line freeway Long said yes. I asked Erik Steavans after the RTC meeting if he thought there was more money for rail he said he would wait to see it before he believed it.
Feel free to keep responses, questions, comments, and news articles coming on this issue!
--
James A. Nichols IV
cell: (770) 312-6736
"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." ---Calvin Coolidge (1872 - 1933)
"I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians." Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)
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