Ga. governor takes stand in transportation funding debate

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue’s approval of a regional transportation tax has fueled the drive for transportation funding in the state.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Perdue’s backing of a regional sales tax referendum, in addition to including $300 million in bond projects statewide in his budget proposal to the Legislature.

The regional sales tax referendum, which has to be passed by the House and Senate, entails allowing each of 12 regions in the state to vote on a 1-cent sales tax in 2012, and allowing them also to choose the projects that would benefit from the tax. If approved, all funds raised would go to projects in the corresponding regions.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution report cited an estimate from the Atlanta Regional Commission of $790 million a year that could be raised from the tax.