New transportation bill makes a good start at least
In impassioned remarks Wednesday night, House Speaker David Ralston told colleagues that it was time to stop thinking and talking about “the two Georgias” — metro Atlanta and the rest of the state —and refocus on one Georgia.
A proposed new transportation bill then awaiting a House vote did just that, Ralston said. In fact, he said, he had specifically instructed House negotiators on the bill to “make sure this plan helps MARTA, helps Atlanta, because in doing so we help Georgia.”
After Ralston spoke, House members quickly approved the bill by a vote of 141-29. A few minutes later, the Senate followed suit, 43-8. However, many of those voting had very little idea what the bill did, because it had been revealed publicly just a few hours earlier.
So does the plan accomplish the goals set by Ralston?
No.
And yes.
For years, metro Atlanta political and business leaders have begged the state Legislature for a means to finance badly needed transportation projects in the region, but to no avail. The plan now awaiting the signature of Gov. Sonny Perdue does go a long way toward meeting that need.
It gives metro Atlanta and 11 other regions in Georgia the right — with voter approval — to impose a 1 percent sales tax on themselves to finance transportation projects. From the beginning, the goal of such a system was to ensure that money raised within the region was spent within the region, on projects and priorities that are established by the region.
House Bill 277 does not do that, or at least not all of that. All money raised in the metro region will stay in the region, but the region’s authority to decide its own transportation future is significantly restricted.
Under the bill, a “regional roundtable” of county commissioners and mayors will compile a list of transportation projects to submit to voters for their approval. However, the roundtable’s list can include only those projects previously approved by the state transportation planning director, who is an appointee of the governor.
In other words, metro Atlanta and other regions can pick only projects that the next governor will allow us to pick.
The bill also forbids metro Atlanta from using even a dime of revenue from its regional transportation tax to help MARTA, the financially distressed core of regional public transit, meet its operating needs.
The Augusta region is free to use regional funds to help Augusta Public Transit; the Savannah region can support Chatham Area Transit financially. The Atlanta metro region can even use regional dollars to help Gwinnett County Transit or Cobb Community Transit.
But it cannot help MARTA.
There’s no rationale for such a provision except the purely political. It exists solely because legislators needed a certain degree of MARTA-bashing in the bill if it was to win legislative approval, and that’s a sad commentary on the state of affairs in Georgia.
That said, however, MARTA does get some help in the bill. It suspends for three years a state law that requires MARTA to spend at least 50 percent of its tax revenue on capital expenses rather than operations, a step that will at least give the agency some flexibility in dealing with its financial crisis.
And while the funding option is critical, in the long run another provision of the bill may prove to be equally important. It calls for creation of a Transit Governance Study Commission for metro Atlanta to analyze “the feasibility of combining all of the regional public transportation entities into an integrated regional transit body.”
That commission, comprising suburban and urban metro transit officials, officials from the Atlanta Regional Commission and eight metro-area legislators, is tasked to produce a preliminary report by the end of this year with recommendations for the “methodical development of legislative proposals for a regional transit governing authority in Georgia.”
The legislation also explicitly endorses “Concept 3,” the regional transit system proposed by the metro region’s Transit Planning Board in 2008, after a two-year planning process.
That plan calls for an ambitious — and expensive — network of transit options linking all parts of metro Atlanta, from Canton south to Griffin and Lawrenceville west to Dallas. Building that network would be the work of two generations, but it has to start somewhere.
Maybe, just maybe, that process started this week.
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182 comments Add your comment
Scooter
April 23rd, 2010
7:12 am
First?
Scooter
April 23rd, 2010
7:12 am
USinUK
April 23rd, 2010
7:24 am
“because it had been revealed publicly just a few hours earlier.”
nope. nothing ever changes under the Gold Dome.
Normal
April 23rd, 2010
7:25 am
Why do I get the feeling that the only improvements we will see will be hitching posts, water troughs and hay stations…and a bucket brigade (jobs, remember) to clean up the messes…
stands for decibels
April 23rd, 2010
7:26 am
Based simply on your summation, and not having seen the bill or heard any other takes on it yet, I think it sounds as if you’re being entirely too kind to these myopic buffoons, but who knows.
Maybe it is the best pale imitation of progress we can expect, given what we have to work with.
Scooter
April 23rd, 2010
7:29 am
I’m with you DB. It will be interesting to see what becomes of this.
Soothsayer
April 23rd, 2010
7:30 am
Officials: Sunken Rig Could Cause Huge Oil Spill
An oil platform that burned for 36 hours after a massive explosion sank into the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, and 11 workers still missing may have been near the blast and unable to escape, officials said.
Meanwhile, the submerged well could be creating a major environmental problem, potentially spewing up to 8,000 [336,000 gallons] barrels of crude oil per day, the Coast Guard said.
An additional 700,000 gallons of diesel fuel were stored on the now-submerged rig, reports CBS News correspondent Whit Johnson, and officials don’t know whether that fuel is also spilling.
Longtime readers of this blog will remember that I posted a mock scenario exactly the same as this one. The only difference was the spill happened sooner than expected.
The leaking well is in 5,000 ft of water and in a related article a “robot” is going to try to cap the well. Wonder how long that will take.
“Drill, baby, Drill!” “Drill here, Drill now!”
USinUK
April 23rd, 2010
7:31 am
Normal – I liked OGK’s (or maybe it was JT’s) idea from earlier in the week – bicycles for everyone! … as long as they have banana seats, chopper handle-bars with streamers, and the little straw-things that go on the spokes …
Paul
April 23rd, 2010
7:32 am
Seems like it’ll take too long? The only guarantee is, twenty years will come to pass. At the end of the twenty, you’ll either have the transportation system, or you won’t.
Good luck.
Normal
April 23rd, 2010
7:34 am
USinUK, Good Friday morning to you!
I’m with the bike idea if I can clothes pin a couple of playing cards to the back axle supports. Makes a good putting sound…
USinUK
April 23rd, 2010
7:35 am
Normal – “I’m with the bike idea if I can clothes pin a couple of playing cards to the back axle supports” … oh, YEAH!!! (see kids, you don’t NEED to have a DS to have fun!!)
of course, the downside is there are going to be a LOT of stinky offices from people cycling to/from work in the heat of the summer …
Southern Comfort
April 23rd, 2010
7:37 am
The bill also forbids metro Atlanta from using even a dime of revenue from its regional transportation tax to help MARTA, the financially distressed core of regional public transit, meet its operating needs.
That sounds like the Georgia Assembly that I’ve become to know and loathe. Those idiots couldn’t legislate themselves out of a cardboard box. Atlanta will soon cease to be the economic power of the southeast as other cities like Charlotte pass us by.
Soothsayer
April 23rd, 2010
7:38 am
LONDON – Oil company BP PLC says it is doing everything it can to contain an oil spill from the drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico that exploded into flames before sinking.
The British firm said Friday it has “activated an extensive oil spill response,” including using remotely operated vehicles to assess the sub-sea well and 32 vessels to mop up the spill.
BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward says the company will do “everything in our power to contain this oil spill and resolve the situation as rapidly, safely and effectively as possible.”
Take a look at this picture.
Bookman: New transportation bill a good start | Peach State Post
April 23rd, 2010
7:40 am
[...] Continue reading… [...]
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin....
April 23rd, 2010
7:46 am
For UStink, from below-
U.S. Economy in Worst Hiring Slump in 20 Years
By DAVID LEONHARDT 2/6/2003
The economy has fallen into its worst hiring slump in almost 20 years, and many business executives say they remain unsure when it will end.
The surge in discouraged workers is the most significant since the months immediately after the recession’s start. This suggests that the pain of joblessness has worsened even though the official unemployment rate, which counts only people looking for work, held steady at 6 percent in December. -TreasonTimes
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/06/business/06JOBS.html?pagewanted=1
Any questions?
Southern Comfort
April 23rd, 2010
7:47 am
Normal
My bike would need the solid disc rims like the racing bikes to cut down on drag. I’d have one heck of a ride for work each day, so any efficiency I can gain is a plus in my book.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin....
April 23rd, 2010
7:50 am
Let me just say it. The Obama/Clinton/media left are comfortable with the unrest in our society today. It allows them to blame and demonize their opponents (doctors, insurance companies, Wall Street, talk radio, Fox News) in order to portray their regime as the great healer of all our ills, thus expanding their power and control over our society.
A clear majority of the American people want no part of this. They instinctively know that the Obama way is not how things get done in this country. They are motivated by love. Not hate, not sedition. They love their country and want to save it from those who do not.-RushLimbaugh
Yeah, what he’s sayin….
USinUK
April 23rd, 2010
7:50 am
whiner – 7:46 – I read the article – nowhere in there was Bush criticized for the unemployment rate.
nice try … but, as usual … FAIL.
Crenshaw8
April 23rd, 2010
7:53 am
From the Georgia dome to Capital Hill
However, many of those voting had very little idea what the bill did, because it had been revealed publicly just a few hours earlier.
Our future is in the hands of people who don’t know.
“We have to pass the bill so we can know what’s in it.”–Nancy Pelosi
Normal
April 23rd, 2010
7:58 am
SoCo,
Solid wheels do reduce drag, but they act like a sail when wind hits them…and I don’t know about your ride being that bad. I can see everybody gettin’ out of your way…
Southern Comfort
April 23rd, 2010
7:58 am
Whiner’s quoting Rush?!!?
Normal
April 23rd, 2010
7:59 am
Our future is in the hands of people who don’t know.
This is news?
USinUK
April 23rd, 2010
7:59 am
oh, and by the way, whiner – at the time of your article, unemployment was 5.9% …
so, seriously … show us what you got … show us where Bush was criticized for unemployment at 5% …
TaxPayer
April 23rd, 2010
7:59 am
Cobb and Gwinnett have public transportation systems that rely on tax dollars! The shock! The Horror! How do the resident residents of these conservative strongholds even live with themselves, getting on this blog and yap about how their counties don’t want or need no steenking taxation for no steenking public transportation. Perhaps they merely charge a user fee for those taking the bus. That would, of course, make it OK.
Normal
April 23rd, 2010
7:59 am
SoCo,
I think it’s more like Whiner is channeling Rush…
USinUK
April 23rd, 2010
8:00 am
SoCo – 7:58 – further evidence of “when all you got is nuttin’, you fling poo”
Southern Comfort
April 23rd, 2010
8:02 am
Normal
A bike ride to work for me would have 4 long hills to climb in the first 5 miles if I rode along the Interstate. If I take back roads, I’ll still have to cross that terrain, but would add more miles to the trip. Either way, it’s not gonna be a Sunday afternoon cruise.
Southern Comfort
April 23rd, 2010
8:03 am
Normal/UnU
Rightwing Troll
April 23rd, 2010
8:04 am
Speaking of taxes… I made more money last year than the year before, and paid LESS in federal taxes than the year before… of course my STATE taxes were higher… thank you GO FISH…
I understand all of you here, especially those out there on the right are currently paying higher taxes. Maybe it’s just wingnuts who have to pay higher taxes…
I’m still waiting for Obama to come get my guns, and I still need to set my appointment with a death panel to find out when I get to die…
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin....
April 23rd, 2010
8:08 am
UStink- You are floundering, dude, just sayin…
Gale
April 23rd, 2010
8:12 am
Yes, it’s a start. If the state had started down the path even five years ago when our explosive growth was certainly evident, we would have a plan in hand and be able to receive Fed money for projects ready to roll. Job, foreclosure, and revenue problems all mitigated and a long term solution in hand. Instead, here we are, wondering if this is just more politicking.
Biking, sadly is not an option for many of us. Our auto-centric society has us living too far from our work. However, many of us could use teleworking if more businesses would buy into that idea. That would also take cars off the road and relieve congestion and pollution.
Normal
April 23rd, 2010
8:15 am
USinUK,
You were just insulted by Whiner! How CAN you stand the shame?
Oh wait…I forgot…
Normal
April 23rd, 2010
8:22 am
BTW, this is how I will always remember “W”…
http://punditkitchen.com/2010/04/20/political-pictures-george-w-bush-inappropriate/
Southern Comfort
April 23rd, 2010
8:23 am
RT
That’s way low, to insult Ann Coulter in that manner…
Normal
That’s funny!!
TaxPayer
April 23rd, 2010
8:24 am
Normal,
I think Dick had the identical reaction as Bush.
FinnMcCool
April 23rd, 2010
8:24 am
Off topic ~
I’d like to suggest we just out and out buy Greece. Those islands are really nice.
A Lumpkin resident.
April 23rd, 2010
8:25 am
Patrons and those who live and work in Fulton/Dekalb should help MARTA. An 80 cent per ride fare increase would completely cover MARTA’s shortfall.
Southern Comfort
April 23rd, 2010
8:31 am
A Lumpkin resident.
Just remember to add your contribution by spending in Fulton/Dekalb.
FrankLeeDarling
April 23rd, 2010
8:33 am
let me get this straight,we can spend the money we generate in the metro area on any transportation system but our own marta system? In what world does this make any sense?
USinUK
April 23rd, 2010
8:33 am
whiner – “UStink- You are floundering, dude, just sayin…”
I think you may want to look up the word “floundering” as I don’t think it means what you think it means
you were asked to provide proof that Bush was criticized for 5% unemployment … the article you cited didn’t.
so either put up or start reading the MJD
Southern Comfort
April 23rd, 2010
8:35 am
Frank
In the world of the GOP of Georgia.
Soothsayer
April 23rd, 2010
8:36 am
April 23 (Bloomberg) — General Electric Co., the world’s second-biggest maker of wind turbines, plans to introduce a 4 megawatt gearless wind turbine for offshore use in 2012 in a challenge to market leader Siemens AG of Germany.
Government incentives and pricing pressure for onshore models amid the economic slowdown make the offshore market more attractive, Mete Maltepe, global sales leader for wind energy at GE, said in a telephone interview on April 20.
Man! Can you believe one of those windmills produces 4 megawatts (4,000,000 watts) of power!
USinUK
April 23rd, 2010
8:37 am
Finneus – 8:24 – you laugh, but that was what the Germans suggested to Greece a few weeks ago …
Gale
April 23rd, 2010
8:41 am
Offshore wind turbine. Interesting idea. Does anyone think they will stand up to hurricane winds? Or do they do something to account for that problem. It would create some disturbance to “plant” them, but afterward it seems to me they would provide some marine habitat. I know the wind sure does blow off the ocean. Noise wouldn’t be a problem either.
Southern Comfort
April 23rd, 2010
8:41 am
Soothsayer
Check out this map and tell me if you notice anything in relation to the number of megawatts being generated by wind.
http://www.awea.org/projects/
USinUK
April 23rd, 2010
8:43 am
Gale – we have loads of them here – in fact, saw a beautiful wind farm off shore in Whitstable last Friday …
Gale
April 23rd, 2010
8:44 am
SoCo, and the entire southeast is empty on the map. Hmmm.
TnGelding
April 23rd, 2010
8:44 am
A start in the “right” direction. Live near where you work or work near where you live. We wasted a lot of time and money commuting.
USinUK
April 23rd, 2010
8:45 am
gale – http://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/content/images/2006/07/28/turbines2_470×300.jpg
gotta love the bbc!
FrankLeeDarling
April 23rd, 2010
8:46 am
That is a sad chart @8:41 SoCo,no information at all in the south.
At least if we put turbines up in the gulf ,they won’t spill oil when they get damaged