Emergency Millions For MARTA

When Georgia lawmakers left the Capitol without adopting a transportation funding plan, they also reopened a bitter rift involving Atlanta's transit system that has sent local authorities scrambling for ways to keep the 500,000 riders moving. Transportation officials voted overwhelmingly to shift $25 million in federal stimulus funding to cover some of MARTA's losses. The effort is short-term, and, some opponents say, short-sighted. But the plan's proponents say it's the only proposal on the table to keep the system above water.

(Associated Press)

Atlanta Transit System Could Get Fed Stimulus

State transportation officials are to decide today whether $25-million in federal stimulus money will be moved to help keep Atlanta’s transit system afloat. MARTA has been scrambling to find a solution to its budget deficit and keep 500,000 riders moving on the rails and buses. Opponents of the plan to use federal money say it doesn’t fix a deeper problem. Proponents say there is nothing else available to keep the system going for now.

Rally for MARTA Funds

A dozen Atlanta Democratic legislators and hundreds of MARTA riders rallied in downtown Atlanta to call for a special session of the Georgia Legislature to solve the transit system's funding problems. MARTA officials have called for a special session for legislation that would allow them to tap into their reserves. The system is considering cutting services as it grapples with a $24 million budget shortfall. State Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta, demanded on Wednesday Perdue call for a special session or issue an executive order to fix the problem. Others in the crowd chanted "it's our money." The governor has said "we will do our best not to call a special session."

(Associated Press)

Perdue: Special Session Not Best Option

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:

"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.

MARTA Threatens Service Cuts

Atlanta's transit agency is considering eliminating service by one day a week to meet a $24 million budget shortfall. MARTA's board met Monday to discuss the budget crunch. The state Legislature wrapped up its 2009 legislative session on Friday without passing a bill that would have given MARTA more freedom in how it spends its own money. MARTA has a $65 million reserve for capital projects but is prevented by state law from dipping into that fund to help offset a $20 million shortfall. Most of MARTA's funding comes from a sales tax in Fulton and DeKalb counties. But those revenues have plummeted in the current weak economy. MARTA's board is expected to vote on the cutbacks later this spring.

(Associated Press)

MARTA Wants Concession Stands

A bill approved by the state Senate would allow passengers on Georgia's buses and rail lines to consume food and drink in the station.

The bill's sponsor, state Sen. Gloria Butler, a Stone Mountain Democrat, said the bill would help The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority - known as MARTA - boost its revenues by opening concession stands in its stations. Consumption of food and drink would still be prohibited on buses and trains.

The measure passed 43-4.

There is currently a zero tolerance law banning food and beverage consumption at mass transit stations. Butler's bill would permit individual public transit stations to adopt a policy banning food and drink if they wanted.

It now moves to the House.

(Associated Press)

MARTA GM seeks cuts as $60M budget deficit looms

MARTA officials are looking for state or other funding help to dig the mass transit authority out of a $60 million hole.

The general manager of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Beverly Scott, is expected to ask board members Monday to make cuts including nixing annual raises for managers, supervisors and general administrative employees and cutting back on discretionary spending - moves which are expected to save the agency $11 million over the next fiscal year.

In the upcoming legislative session, MARTA officials also plan to ask state lawmakers to get rid of restrictions on how it can use its sales tax and investment earnings, and to allow eating and drinking at rail stations as a potential money-making opportunity.

Without additional funding, officials say there could be fare increases, parking fees and reduction in services, which also could lead to employee layoffs.

(AP)

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Governor signs gun bill

Governor Sonny Perdue on Wednesday signed legislation that would allow concealed weapons onto public transportation, into parks and some restaurants. Perdue waited until the final day to sign the controversial legislation into law.

The measure is applauded by gun owners who say they need weapons to protect themselves on public transportation, like MARTA in Atlanta. They also want to take their weapons into restaurants.

The Georgia Restaurant Association and Atlanta city officials, including Mayor Shirley Franklin, had urged the governor to veto the bill. They fear guns in places with a lot of people could spell trouble.

The National Rifle Association had lobbied for the legislation for two years. The new law applies to about 300-thousand Georgians who have proper permits.