Atlanta, Ga - March 20, 2015 - The Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus held the line for Georgians who want a real solution to the state's transportation problems. The Democratic Caucus was unwilling to vote for a bad transportation bill that did not demonstrate an ongoing commitment to transit, did not address the huge disparities in transportation contracting, and that endorsed siphoning more money from an already underfunded education and healthcare system.
"Senate Democrats believe that transportation must be a priority in order to move our economy forward and address gridlock. But we believe that to prioritize transportation over education without a vision and long range goals that include transit and multi-modal transporation is the wrong direction," said Senate Democratic Minority Leader Sen. Steve Henson (Tucker).
Democrats voted overhwhelming against HB 170 that would dedicate $813 million annually for transportation through an increase in the state motor exise tax, but neglected to address transit and minority business participation in state transportation contracting. Additional funding for the measure would drain another $250 million from the state's growth revenues, which fund public schools.
In the most recent federal disparity study completed in 2012, Minority Businesses - including women and people of color - received a woeful 4.8 percent of construction contract money. Women-owned businesses received 3.4 percent, African and Latino-owned businesses received .6 percent and.8 percent, respectively.
"Democrats are for real solutions to our transporation problems, equal participation in transit funding and ensuring we don't further drain funding from our public schools. HB 170 did the opposite of this," said Sen. Horacena Tate (D-Atlanta), chairwoman of the caucus.
Georgia Senate Democrats could not support a measure that would spend a billion dollars on transporation and not fund mass transit in this state.
"Transit is not just an Atlanta issue, Our entire state depends on the movement of goods, services and people - from Decatur to Savannah and from Augusta to Albany. Our students and young business owners need to travel from our distinguished colleges and universities all over the state. Investing in transit presents an opportunity to provide economic development and jobs needed everywhere, but especially in the rural parts of our state," said Elena Parent (D-Decatur).
"Unfortunately, when it comes to transportation funding, Georgia has shown an inability to include women and minorities in contracting projects in any significant way. We have studied, studied and studied the issue, and our vote against this bill shows that the time has come for action. Our constituents cannot put food on the table or support a family with promises, and we could not support a bill that we knew would systematically leave them out of the discussion. We owe them more than to deliver promises, and our vote shows that we honor the faith that they have placed in us," said Sen. Vincent Fort (Atlanta), whip of the Caucus.
Senate Democrats worked to amend HB 170 to include transit, increased minority participation in contracting, a phase out of the electric vehicle tax credit. Democratic amendments were voted down.
###
Comments