REP. STEPHANIE STUCKEY BENFIELD'S
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Week of February 12 - February 16, 2007
WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT - February 16, 2007
Legislation offers funding plan for transportation
By Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield
For too long, Georgia has failed to produce an effective, regional solution to improving our transportation system. Lawmakers in the metropolitan Atlanta area now realize that improving mobility requires something other than a piecemeal county-by-county approach. As a general rule, our streets, roads and railways do not stop at the county line.
Of course, funding has been and still is the major barrier to a regional transportation system. But under House Bill 434, which I am co-sponsoring, we have perhaps our best opportunity yet to produce the revenue necessary for such a collaborative effort.
This bipartisan legislation would allow the implementation of a sales and use tax and/or a local motor fuel sales tax for transportation investment on a regional basis. Any multi-county region in Georgia would be able to enter into an intergovernmental agreement and hold a regionally binding funding referendum that lists the projects to be constructed and operated. The referendum would also include a sunset date for the special tax.
A special provision of HB 434 would allow the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) to start the planning process for counties in its jurisdiction and any surrounding counties that wish to join. Currently, this provision applies only to the 13 counties in metro Atlanta.
The legislation has been referred to the House Ways & Means Committee for consideration. I will keep you posted on its progress.
This week, a majority in the House of Representatives voted to approve legislation that would allow motorists to conceal loaded firearms in their cars without a permit. State law now requires motorists who do not have concealed handgun permits to keep their loaded firearms "fully exposed to view" or in the glove box, console or similar compartment.
HB 89 would allow people to hide guns under seats or wedge them between seat cushions and center consoles. I spoke and voted against this measure, which would circumvent the state's concealed handgun background check requirements and endanger police making traffic stops. There still has been no evidence presented that explains why this drastic change in the law is needed. In a speech to my colleagues, I referred to numerous news reports where children had been injured or killed by guns concealed in cars or trucks in the manner HB 89 would allow. This is the most important among many reasons to defeat this proposal.
Hopefully, the Senate will strongly consider the safety of our law enforcement officers and the protection of our children over the special interests pushing this very dangerous legislation.
In an effort to maintain public accountability in the management of Georgia's Soil & Water Conservation Districts, I have introduced House Resolution 271. This legislation voices opposition to a proposal that would eliminate the election of 195 of the 370 supervisors of the 40 conservation districts.
Currently, 175 supervisors are appointed to ensure professional expertise, but making all of the positions appointed would remove the supervisors' direct accountability to the citizens. Soil and water conservation is a critical area of environmental responsibility. It would be completely irresponsible to change a balanced system that is working well. HR 271 was assigned to the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee for consideration.
Thursday, February 15, was the 21 st legislative day of the 2007 session of the Georgia General Assembly, meaning we are now past the halfway point. Frankly, very little has been completed so far on the major issues, but I would expect the pace to pick up when we return to the Capitol on Tuesday, February 20. Still up in the air is the fate of the funding issue for PeachCare for Kids, which will have a significant impact on finalizing both the midyear adjustment to the fiscal year 2007 state budget and the annual budget for fiscal year 2008.
• Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (D-Atlanta) represents the 85 th District (DeKalb County) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Contact her at 512 Coverdell Office Building, Atlanta, GA 30334; by phone at 404-656-7859 or by e-mail at stuckey@mindspring.com. You may also contact her through her web site www.stuckey.org.
Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (D-Atlanta) represents the 85 th District (DeKalb County) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Contact her at 512 Coverdell Office Building, Atlanta, GA 30334; by phone at 404-656-7859 or by e-mail at stuckey@mindspring.com.
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