Georgia Legislative Watch

House Democrats unveiled their transportation proposal yesterday and took some shots at Gov. Sonny Perdue:

“We watched along with other Georgians over the last seven years as the administration, the governor’s office, has failed to provide the necessary leadership to improve our transportation system in this state,” said Sen. Robert Brown (D-Macon). Rep. DuBose Porter (D-Dublin), a candidate for governor, and other leaders stood beside Brown at the press conference and later echoed the same themes.

“That’s partisan rhetoric,” replied Bert Brantley, a spokesman for Gov. Sonny Perdue. “I think the governor’s record on this is pretty clear.” He cited Perdue’s early attempts to build more transportation projects faster through borrowing, and new proposals Perdue announced this year for $300 million in freight projects in addition to regional funding referendums to be held in 2012.

The Democrats said Thursday that 2012 was too long to wait, and they proposed referendums that could get money flowing earlier.

Here is part of the press release:

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.”