House GOP Leaders Lower Revenue Goal For Transportation Bill
A major transportation bill in the Georgia House is undergoing more changes as Republican leaders look to corral support from the more conservative members of their caucus.
Leaders had set out to raise at least a $1 billion to fix Georgia’s crumbling network of roads and bridges. The original version of the bill would have hiked the state excise tax on motor fuel from 7.5 cents per gallon to 29.2 cents per gallon, while phasing out other state and local taxes.
The latest version of the bill adjusts the proposed tax increase on motor fuel from 29.2 cents per gallon to 24 cents per gallon. According to House Majority Leader Larry O’Neal, each cent per gallon translates to roughly $60 million, meaning the change would subtract approximately $300 million from the bill.
Despite that, several rank-and-file Republicans remain concerned.
“My biggest problem with it right now? It’s still a $389 million tax increase on the consumer,” said Rep. David Stover, R-Newnan. “It’s absolutely a tax increase. I have the spreadsheet to show it.”
Republican leaders, however, insist the latest bill is revenue neutral.
“From what I understand it’s a wash right now. I don’t feel like it’s a tax increase,” said Rules Committee Chairman John Meadows. “What we’ve got to understand is our system is broke.”
Meadows believes leadership now has enough support to pass the bill.
The Rules Committee, which decides what bills make it to the House floor, approved the bill Wednesday. That means it could come up for a full House vote as early as Thursday.
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