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GGM Applauds Study Committee
January 30, 2008
Get Georgia Moving Coalition
Applauds Joint House-Senate Study Committee
For Highlighting Transportation Funding Needs
ATLANTA – The Get Georgia Moving Coalition, which represents more than 50 groups across Georgia, today applauded the House-Senate Joint Transportation Funding Study Committee for its report highlighting the need for new funding solutions for transportation.
“Today’s recommendations from the study committee are the result of months of hard work, and it all comes down to one conclusion – Georgia needs new and innovative funding solutions for transportation,” said Charles Tarbutton, assistant vice president of Sandersville Railroad Company, chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the Get Georgia Moving Coalition.
Get Georgia Moving is a diverse group of business leaders, state and local government leaders, transit advocates, road builders and environmentalists. The coalition includes the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the Regional Business Coalition, the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, the Georgia Transit Association, the Georgia Highway Contractors Association, Georgians for Better Transportation, the Sierra Club and others. A full list is below.
“Georgia is the third-fastest growing state in the country, but spends less per capita than any other state in the country on transportation infrastructure,” said Kessel D. Stelling, president and CEO of Bank of North Georgia, chairman of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the Get Georgia Moving Coalition. “As a result, Georgia is facing a multi-billion dollar funding shortfall. We are pleased that lawmakers understand the need to take action, bridge this funding gap and invest in many different modes of transportation.”
The Get Georgia Moving Coalition is working with lawmakers to develop funding legislation that marries the best features of last year's statewide transportation sales tax and the regional transportation sales tax bills.
“We want to work with legislators to develop the best solution that benefits the diverse needs of all citizens and areas of the state,” said Joe Leonard, chairman of AirTran Airways, chairman of the transportation policy committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the Get Georgia Moving Coalition. “It is encouraging that the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, and Legislature are all talking about our state’s transportation needs.”
Tarbutton added that reform and funding should proceed at the same time.
“We understand the challenges currently facing the Georgia Department of Transportation,” Tarbutton said. “But we feel very confident that reform and funding can and should be addressed concurrently so that 18-24 months from now, an improved GDOT will have the resources needed to move forward with the infrastructure projects this state needs.”
Participants in the coalition include:
• American Council of Engineering Companies
• Association County Commissioners of Georgia
• Atlanta Regional Commission
• Central Atlanta Progress
• Citizens for Progressive Transit
• Civic League for Regional Atlanta
• Clean Air Campaign
• Community Improvement District Alliance
• Council for Quality Growth
• CSX
• C. W. Matthews Contracting Co., Inc.
• Georgia Asphalt Pavement Association
• Georgia Association of Regional Development Centers
• Georgia Chamber of Commerce
• Georgia Concrete Pavement Association
• Georgia Conservancy
• Georgia Construction Aggregate Association
• Georgia Department of Transportation
• Georgia Economic Developers’ Association
