Get Georgia Moving Coalition Applauds Joint House-Senate Study Committee For Highlighting Transportation Funding Needs

ATLANTA (January 30, 2008) – 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.”

   The Get Georgia Moving coalition also reiterated its support for a measure that would allow citizens in regions across Georgia to vote on a new sales tax funding mechanism to relieve congestion and promote economic development.

   The coalition also supports efforts to optimize current revenue sources, invest in transit and transportation options and support innovative funding programs.

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 
Georgia Electric Membership Cooperatives 
Georgia Engineering Alliance 
Georgia Highway Contractors Association 
Georgia Motor Trucking Association 
Georgia Municipal Association 
Georgia Policy and Budget Institute 
Georgia Power Company 
Georgia Railroad Association 
Georgia Regional Transportation Authority 
Georgia Transit Association 
Georgians for Better Transportation 
Georgians for the Brain Train 
Governor’s Office of Highway Safety 
Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce 
Livable Communities Coalition 
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce 
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority 
Norfolk Southern 
Regional Business Coalition 
Sierra Club 
Transit Planning Board