Photo by Thinh D. Nguyen
Click to enlarge photos.By Jon Gillooly
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer
COBB GALLERIA - After listening to him speak at the high-powered Cobb Chamber of Commerce Chairman's Club luncheon on Tuesday, local leaders say Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle has received the "loud and clear" message that failing to pass legislation to relieve traffic congestion in the 2009 session is not an option.
"I think he's heard the message very clearly that folks in this arena do want some action taken in transportation, so, in a nut shell, he's getting ahead of the issue instead of just reacting," said attorney Chuck Clay of Marietta, a former state senator.
At the Atlanta Marriott Northwest off Windy Hill Road, Cagle told attendees - which included Kennesaw State University President Emeritus Dr. Betty Siegel, Earl Smith, chairman of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority, Facility Group founder Robert Moultrie, Cobb Energy CEO Dwight Brown and others - that he planned to unveil a transportation proposal within the next two months.
"I am tired of going all over the world and recruiting companies here, and when they come to look at Georgia, they are so thrilled with everything that goes on, except they always point to traffic congestion. It's a huge issue. It's a problem. Hear me. It is a problem. And we need a real solution," Cagle said.
Cagle cited Indiana for raising $4 billion for transportation through a toll system, and he cited Virginia's practice of moving interstate medians in times of high congestion to create additional room for traffic.
Cagle called for tolls for express lanes on major arteries, such as Interstate 85, I-75, state Route 400 and I-285.
"If I've got to get to Atlanta in a time sensitive manner, I'd be willing to pay in order to do that. Other states have done it," he said.
And he reminded the audience that he was the one who initially introduced a constitutional amendment that would have funded state transportation projects through a one-cent regional local option transportation sales tax.
"I was committed to it then. I'm committed to it now. We're going to resolve the issue of traffic congestion. We've got to. Our future depends upon it," he said.
The one-cent sales tax proposal died in the Senate by three votes under Cagle's watch just minutes before the midnight end of session April 4.
Cobb senators who voted against the amendment were Judson Hill (R-east Cobb), John Wiles (R-Kennesaw) and Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock).
"We can argue the pros and cons, but the fact of the matter is the House passed transportation legislation and ultimately it died in the Senate," Clay said.
Atlanta Regional Commission Chairman Sam Olens wrote in that group's latest newsletter, "The Georgia General Assembly had a chance to provide leadership and address this issue in the 2008 session. They missed the boat by three votes. Why? Lack of concerted leadership from the top."
Olens goes on to state that, "our top leaders either stonewalled or actively opposed legislation to provide new funding for greater mobility in our state and without their support, many legislators didn't see it as a priority."
Olens urged citizens to "call the governor and lt. gov. Demand the relief that we all deserve and that is long overdue."
After the luncheon, state Sen. Doug Stoner (D-Smyrna), who voted for the transportation plan, said he doesn't fault citizens for blaming the Senate.
"I totally understand, and I don't blame them for blaming the Senate. You know, I blame the Senate, and I'm in the Senate. I think the lieutenant governor was extremely disappointed, and he's gotten the message since then. And I think the governor has gotten the message," Stoner said.
Clay said he has faith in Cagle.
"His commitment to take a lead is certainly something we want to hear, and he can get it done," Clay said.
jgillooly@mdjonline.com
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Posted Comments
Perdue will widen the roads that lead to hunting and fishing, but nothing more.
I'll believe it when I see it. As a Republican, I have been VERY disappointed with the state leadership and their inability to get things done during the legislative sessions. People don't want to see political battles, they want to see problems solved. Can it really be that hard to understand?
Let's develop a comprehensive, multi-year plan for the "projects" before we worry about funding it via ANOTHER TAX!
The first step to correcting the traffic situation in Cobb is widening Whitlock. It's not 1865 anymore.
What about mass transit? That has to be a piece of the puzzle. The interstates will always be clogged even if we have 14 lanes in both directions.
Casey Cagle is full of it. He'll tell the folks in Atlanta what they want to hear and then say the exactly opposite thing next time he heads south of Macon or north of Forsyth County. Oh, and by the way, toll roads on the highways ain't gonna cut it.
Casey is a moron!
No toll roads, period.
I do not live in the Atlanta area, however, I too agree that something needs to be done about the traffic. Hopefully, the lieutenant governor will consider in his overall plan an outer perimeter around I-285 - taking traffic away from and around the Atlanta area.
As a life long Georgia resident of 56 years I for one am tired of all the talk from the state. Quit the bickering and work as private companies have to. Start getting things done.
We do not need more roads, we need MASS TRANSIT!!! There is a bus out of Acworth to downtown and midtown, but it ends at 6pm and does not run on weekends. This leaves it as "not an option" for many workers. We need a train or bus systems that runs to midnight and on weekends so we can go to Atlanta attractions without driving. And to MT, we have had commission studies for years with nothing done; it is just more taxpayer money down the toilet. It has been studied to death, but the commission refuses to even think of mass transit as a viable idea.
I agree with Bob it time for action enough talk and planning. We Need light rail for whole atlanta. We Need Regional train like they NJ,Ny,PA. The only this state care about is same sex laws. Not what the common man Need.The Three Senators Need To be told We know who you are and there is hell to pay. We are mad hell not going to take any more.Judson Hill (R-east Cobb), John Wiles (R-Kennesaw) and Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock).