Gov. Deal To Make Case For Transportation Funding Increase
On Wednesday morning, Governor Nathan Deal will highlight his priorities during the State of the State address at Georgia’s Capitol. The governor says he will provide direction on how the state can close an at least $1 billion dollar funding gap in transportation.
Governor Deal says the state has to find more money to unclog and improve Georgia’s roads and bridges. He made his position clear on Tuesday:
“I recognize its going to require additional funding to do the things we need.”
That might not be easy in a legislature controlled by Republicans. Many of whom have vowed not to raise taxes. But Deal says there are several reasons the state needs to find money for transportation.
“As our population continues to grow, as our prospects for growth continue to expand, including the additional freight that will be transported with the deepening of the port of Savannah, those are all factors that are going to continue to put pressure on us.”
Recently, a state legislative committee laid out several funding options. They include: raising the state’s gas tax and increasing Georgia’s sales tax.
Both Lieutenant governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston have said “doing nothing is not an option.”
Deal promised to outline his suggestions on ways to fund transportation during his State of the State address.
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