Committee hears impact of possible Delta loss

Lawmakers heard testimony today on the possible fallout should Delta Airlines merge with an out-of-state airlines.

The airline gets a substantial tax break from the state on its fuel purchases and Delta officials put the airline's contribution to the metro Atlanta region somewhere in the neighborhood of 13-billion dollars.

Transportation sub-committee chair Republican Senator Judson Hill of Marietta says he supports continuing those tax breaks. However, Hill stopped short of calling for increased fuel subsidies.

"We're interested in continuing to help Delta and be responsible in a fiscally responsible way. Should we continue to do that? I don't know."

Rumors about a possible merger have been swirling for months, but Delta officials would neither confirm nor deny them. Delta officials attended the hearing but didn't speak to reporters
and wouldn't confirm or deny the merger rumors.

Either way, Senate transportation subcommittee Hill says he's worried.

"We always nervous when there's discussion of a merger. but we don't have to be nervious. we can be cautiously optismitic. The caution is what would happen if we were to lose a headquarters. The optimism is we could gain a head quarters and grow a hub even bigger."

Senator Valencia Seay (pron. see) represents parts of Fulton and Clayton Counties. She says her community is desparate for even the smallest bit of information on Delta's possible merger.

Residents there gave up a 1 percent tax concession to help subsidize Delta's fuel purchases.

"The phone was lighting up like a Christmas tree wanting to know if there was something that the Legislature could do to make sure that Delta stays here. They are seeing it as us having given back money and concessions and the tax dollars when we took that tax hit."

Also testifying at today's hearing was Hartsfield Jackson's General Manager Ben DeCosta who told lawmakers if the Delta leaves, he will recommend to Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin that the airport not build a new international terminal.