Georgia Legislative Watch

MARTA officials want a special session to deal with funding issues:

MARTA board members on Monday called for a special legislative session to avert what they called the economic calamity of shutting down service at least one day a week.

“If something is not done about these issues that were neglected this session, at some point it’s going to be too late,” MARTA board Chairman Michael Walls said, imploring state leaders to act.

Walls said he hoped a special session would solve two issues that the Legislature left hanging when it adjourned Friday: MARTA’s crisis and state transportation funding.

MARTA’s immediate problem is that it needs money for daily operations and can’t spend $65 million it already has. State law says MARTA has to use half its income for capital expenses. The $65 million is in a capital reserve account and thus off limits to prop up operations. A bill that passed the Senate but stalled in the House would have lifted that restriction. A House bill that would have eased the restrictions did not pass.

There is an above average chance that legislators may be called in for a special session due to declining state revenues (ie. more budget cuts). Looks like MARTA will be waiting until then.