Democrats Unveil Transportation Plan

Published Feb. 4, 2010 at 11:34 p.m.

(WSB State Capitol Bureau/AP) -- House and Senate Democrats are joining forces on their own plan to fund transportation, the Transportation Jobs Development Act.

Like a similar proposal pushed by the Senate last year, the measure would allow counties to band together and ask voters to hike the state sales tax by one cent to pay for transportation.  The bill would also funnel the fourth penny currently collected as part of the tax on motor fuel to road and other infrastructure improvements.

"By a little state money that is dedicated and pledged, (a) tremendous amount of money could be leveraged from the federal government that would create jobs here now and get us out of gridlock" says House Minority Leader DuBose Porter.

The proposal is a constitutional amendment so it would require two-thirds approval in the House and the Senate, both controlled by Republicans. It must then receive voter approval.

Democrats also complained about the failure of the Republican leadership in the Legislature to pass a funding plan the past two years.

"They have jeopardized transportation for the state placing in jeopardy jobs and businesses," says Sen. Tim Golden (D-Valdosta).

Gov. Perdue has proposed a one cent sales tax to fund regional transportation projects and would have to be approved by voters in each region.  The bill would be in the form of a state statute and not a constitutional amendment.  So far that legislation has not yet been introduced.

 

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