Ga. government heads agree on transportation plan

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston on Thursday announced their unity in allowing voters in the state, by region, to utilize a 1-cent sales tax for transportation projects, reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The agreement was significant, as the three heads of state government have been known for their differences on this issue--namely arguing about whether or not the tax should be regional.

While there does not seem to be any more disagreement on the significant details, there also is no bill introduced yet with more specifics. The regional sales tax referendum 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 state still would have “significant say” on the project list, but it was not yet clear just how far that control would reach.