House Dems announce Transportation Job Development Act

by Bernita on Feb 4, 2010 at 2:56 PM

In a press release from the Georgia House Democrats:

House and Senate Democrats today announced new transportation legislation that will help ensure Georgia receives its fair share of federal stimulus money and create a mechanism for a regional transportation SPLOST.

The legislation dedicates the fourth penny collected on motor fuel tax to any general transportation purpose. As of FY 2009 the motor fuel tax generated over $137 million.

"House Democrats have been working on this for over three years," said Minority Leader DuBose Porter. "Georgia's Republican leadership refused to act, costing Georgia jobs and federal money. We are losing jobs and money to surrounding states because of their failure to act on transportation. "

The Democrats' proposed legislation allows for the formation of special transportation districts, giving local jurisdictions the power to decide whether or not to levy a local tax. It also constitutionally dedicates the fourth penny of sales tax generated from motor fuel to "any transportation purpose" to leverage federal dollars and help with economic development through state aid and LARP for local communities.

"There is $87 million in federal stimulus money for high speed rail systems up for grabs and all Georgia needs to do is raise $15 million to access the federal money," said Rep. Calvin Smyre. "The fourth penny will ensure leverage for Georgia to enable us to receive some of that money instead of watching as it goes to North Carolina or Florida."

"There is an urgency to act now. Republicans want to create legislation that starts acting in 2012, which means the money won't be on the ground until 2014. Georgia can't wait until 2014 to start fixing our transportation problem. That's why House Democrats are acting now," said Minority Whip Carolyn Hugley.