Atlanta, Ga. - January 31, 2014 - Senate Democrats today criticized the state government's handling of the this weeks weather-induced traffic crisis that left Georgians trapped in a traffic nightmare, students sleeping on school buses and gym floors, and people stranded on roads for up to 23 hours. Democrats called for earlier emergency response and greater cross-agency communication.
"The state government's response this week demonstrates a continued pattern of poor decision-making," said Sen. Steve Henson, leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus.
"There appears to be a disconnect between state leaders and the needs of everyday Georgians - from dealing with the HOPE Scholarship, the state health plan, child welfare to the handling of this week's storm. The Governor continues to respond reactively instead of proactively," Henson said.
Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) questioned how and why this crisis could have occurred.
"Governor Deal's performance showed a stunning lack of leadership. There is no excuse for what happened. Deal was asleep at the switch. The snow storm of 2011 should have been an opporuntity to learn but it was opportunity lost. Instead Georgia children and families were at risk. Why after 2011 are we in the same position or worse?" Fort said.
Senate Democrats praised everyday Georgians for their response to the crisis, calling it "uplifting." They lauded businesses that opened doors to citizens, schoolteachers and bus drivers that worked overnight, and people who delivered food and water on foot to strangers.
While citizens stepped forward, Senate Democrats criticized the overall response of the state government.
"Everyone agrees that the state's preparation and response let down our citizens," Henson said. "Now, we must look ahead and put in place a new plan of action."
Senate Democrats called for the incorporation of a traffic plan into the state's emergency preparedness response strategy, to prevent transportation disasters from happening in in the future.
"Coordination must happen early at the state level," Henson said.
Senate Democrats also called for a commission to look into the storm response, with the goal of making recommendations to the Governor and the rest of state government.
"I would hope that we would look at these issues proactively, ahead of time, and be ready for the next challenge to Georgia's citizens," said Henson.
Henson also said he hoped this week's events would be a wakeup call for Georgia to address its transportation infrastructure problem.
"Let's not wait for the next emergency," said Henson. "Georgia should have done more in the past to develop alternative forms of transportation such as mass transit."
###
|
Comments