Legislature skipped out of town without completing discussions for rail or MARTA fund

netdragon · #1 Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 12:33 PM**

Interesting article about how our worthless Georgia legislature failed us again. It includes phone numbers you can call to tell your representatives how angry you are at them: http://www.ajc.com/print/content/pri...maned0409.html

Snickers52 · #2 Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 1:00 PM**

You must have missed the article about the money ($25 million I think it is) they've come up with that will make the inaction by the moron politicians beside the point. This money will enable MARTA to operate normally and with no schedule interruptions.

joecool · #3 Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 1:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snickers52

You must have missed the article about the money ($25 million I think it is) they've come up with that will make the inaction by the moron politicians beside the point. This money will enable MARTA to operate normally and with no schedule interruptions.

Well thats good... (:

netdragon · #4 Posted **May 10, 2009, 6:32 AM**

The law allowing self-taxing regions still wasn't passed, though.

netdragon · #5 Posted **May 31, 2009, 6:36 AM**

The first good news in a while:

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlan...8/daily90.html

Quote:

The Georgia Department of Transportation said late Thursday it started to create a comprehensive state rail plan so it can apply for federal passenger rail funding through the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA).

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlan...8/daily10.html

Quote:

Political and business leaders in the southern end of metro Atlanta launched an effort Monday to show Congress they’re serious about building and operating a commuter rail line.

Supporters of a proposed route linking Atlanta and Griffin agreed to help the cash-strapped Georgia Department of Transportation complete a study of the project’s economic development potential.

The report, due as early as August, also is to determine how much local governments would need to contribute to match $87 million in federal funds set aside for the project in 1998, and a business model for how that local money could be raised.

Thank you Obama!

Fiorenza · #6 Posted **May 31, 2009, 12:02 PM**

"...how much local governments would need to contribute to match $87 million in federal funds"? What a joke. Maybe The ARC can get some more money from Olens and Bannister, but I doubt it. They're already in trouble with the $25 million they gave to Marta.

atlantaguy · #7 Posted **May 31, 2009, 3:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiorenza

"...how much local governments would need to contribute to match $87 million in federal funds"? What a joke. Maybe The ARC can get some more money from Olens and Bannister, but I doubt it. They're already in trouble with the $25 million they gave to Marta.

Why is it a joke?

And just who are Olens and Bannister in trouble with, and for what reason?

Fiorenza · #8 Posted **May 31, 2009, 3:27 PM**

Dude, we're busted. There's no state or local funds.

netdragon · #9 Posted **Jun 2, 2009, 7:59 AM**

The federal reinvestment and recovery act has solved the "no state funds" issue and also provided funds to ARC. Many projects are back on the table. The sad things is that most of these are road projects, so hopefully once the DOT clears these out, they will focus more on transit. However, history shows that may not happen.

I think the state government will match $87 million, though I don't really see it taking the lead on projects the state has to fully fund. So it's just going to sit here and wait for federal funding, as if it is helpless... Well, it's a good thing we have Obama in office since our state leaders are worthless.

It looks like Lovejoy has some local money to give its city workers new offices. Talk about stupid waste! They could be using that money to fund commuter rail in the city limits which would have a much bigger impact.

Rail Claimore · #10 Posted **Jun 2, 2009, 8:57 AM**

I wouldn't be hopeful on any local match for commuter rail without a dedicated source of revenue such as a sales tax, because gas tax revenue must be spent on roads. That's what this whole transportation funding bill that's been tossed around the legislature is about.

BRT and HOT lanes are probably a smart idea to pursue for metro Atlanta for the time being, because so long as some cars can use them, transit can as well. Thus, the capital costs of such transit can be funded indirectly by the state gas tax. Any rail-based transit must absolutely rely on sales taxes or some other funding mechanism.

netdragon · #11 Posted **Jun 7, 2009, 3:42 AM**

Perdue went to Washington to meet with Joe Biden and discuss high-speed rail. He's lukewarm, which is better than cold. Perhaps change is afoot?

http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insid...ilroad-tracks/

http://thepage.time.com/pool-report-...rtation-event/

netdragon · #12 Posted **Jun 7, 2009, 4:05 AM**

Another - GDOT going for federal rail funding: http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/s...8/daily90.html

And another - Governor now on board to push for high-speed rail : http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/met...rgia_rail.html

Quote:

The Georgia Department of Transportation is taking the lead in developing the state’s plans, but regional cooperation could be key to winning funding, DOT officials said.

trainiac · #13 Posted **Jun 8, 2009, 4:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by netdragon

Another - GDOT going for federal rail funding: http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/s...8/daily90.html

And another - Governor now on board to push for high-speed rail : http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/met...rgia_rail.html

If he can make this his legacy I would forgive alot of his non-leadership.