In the wake of lawmakers’ failure to pass transportation funding legislation, there’s a push by metro Atlanta’s transit authority to bring them back to the Capitol.
That’s because MARTA is trying to dig its way out of a deep budget shortfall of $24 million. Without immediate help, the agency says it may have to consider shutting service one day a week to save money.
Because state law dictates MARTA must use half its income for capital expenses, it can’t use that money for operating costs. But its hope for help from lawmakers, along with other transportation funding legislation, died at the General Assembly's close Friday.
Governor Sonny Perdue was asked Tuesday whether he’d consider pulling lawmakers back to the Gold Dome:
Perdue says MARTA never approached him during the General Assembly to discuss the shortfall--only speaking to their officials this morning a first time. Concerning the bigger picture of transportation in the state, Perdue hinted we may be moving toward more of a toll environment in future years.
That’s because MARTA is trying to dig its way out of a deep budget shortfall of $24 million. Without immediate help, the agency says it may have to consider shutting service one day a week to save money.
Because state law dictates MARTA must use half its income for capital expenses, it can’t use that money for operating costs. But its hope for help from lawmakers, along with other transportation funding legislation, died at the General Assembly's close Friday.
Governor Sonny Perdue was asked Tuesday whether he’d consider pulling lawmakers back to the Gold Dome:
"We’ll have to look at a lot of things. Special sessions are something in Georgia that we shy away from, and we’ll do our best frankly not to call a special session."
Perdue says MARTA never approached him during the General Assembly to discuss the shortfall--only speaking to their officials this morning a first time. Concerning the bigger picture of transportation in the state, Perdue hinted we may be moving toward more of a toll environment in future years.
