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Tobacco tax hike could raise half the $1 billion needed for transportation: Health care advocates

by David Pendered

Six health care organizations are calling for an increase in the tobacco tax to help pay for statewide transportation improvements.
Raising the tax to the national average would bring in about $500 million a year, one lobbyist said. That represents about half of the $1 billion Georgia lawmakers intend to raise through the current proposal to raise money to improve the state’s transportation infrastructure.

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Legislature: Transit funding to be protected despite issues with Georgia Constitution

by David Pendered

The author of the proposed $1 billion statewide transportation legislation said Thursday he is committed to ensure that the bill will fund transit, despite issues with the Georgia Constitution.
“In the bill, we talk about dedicating money toward transit,” said House Transportation Committee Chairman Jay Roberts (R-Ocilla). “We realize that you can’t dedicate [funding to transit] without a constitutional amendment…. Unfortunately, within the bill, I can’t put something in for the budget.”

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Discord over transportation funding proposal has a familiar ring

by David Pendered

Georgia’s continuing debate over transportation funding shows that it may be possible to displease a lot of the people most of the time.

The current proposal, House Bill 170, has triggered so much comment that it’s already grown from eight pages to 14 pages. This much revision in a bill is uncommon, especially in a bill that has only been aired at two subcommittee meetings, most recently on Monday.

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Transit funding proposals offer hope, warrant scrutiny

by David Pendered

Transit may be entering a golden era of funding in Georgia and across the nation.

The Republican-sponsored transportation proposal in Georgia would provide transit with its first-ever significant state support. President Obama’s proposed budget, released Monday, would provide $478 billion over six years for transportation infrastructure, including transit.

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As auto sales rebound in Ga., new cars pay fewer taxes to build roads

by David Pendered

An uptick in the sale of new vehicles that’s been linked to lower gas prices spells more trouble for state road funding.

Georgia’s collection of motor fuel taxes fell by 2 percent in the last three months of 2014. Revenues from tag, title, and fees rose by 2.7 percent during that period, according to a tabulation of monthly reports from the Georgia Department of Revenue.

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Gov. Deal tees up transportation debate as federal funds wane

by David Pendered

Gov. Nathan Deal sought Wednesday to cast a hopeful tone over the future of transportation funding.

The current reality is grim. For starters, as of June 1, Georgia is facing a $367.2 million shortfall in necessary federal transportation funds in the federal fiscal year that ends Oct. 1, the state’s chief engineer told GRTA’s board of directors.

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