06 LC 38
0032
House
Resolution 1227
By:
Representatives Jordan of the
77th,
Abdul-Salaam of the
74th,
Heckstall of the
62nd,
Barnes of the
78th,
Dodson of the
75th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Requesting
that if there is a shortfall in subsidizing the Lovejoy to Atlanta rail project,
the Department of Transportation and Georgia Regional Transportation Authority
shall cover the costs; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Department of Transportation has been in the process of negotiating
an agreement with Norfolk Southern Railroad for implementation of a Lovejoy to
Atlanta commuter rail project; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Department of Transportation plans to spend $106 million of federal
and state transportation dollars on this project; and
WHEREAS,
absent additional federal or state funds, the responsibility of paying for the
rail line's operational costs falls to the counties and municipalities along
rail line's route, particularly the taxpayers of Clayton County;
and
WHEREAS,
requiring Clayton County and the other counties and municipalities along the
rail line to carry the burden of subsidizing the rail line's operational costs
is inherently unfair; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Department of Transportation's cost estimates indicate that
approximately $4 million in additional annual operating subsidies will be
required after the initial three-year start-up period.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that it is the sense
of this body that the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia
Regional Transportation Authority should provide funds to cover any shortfall in
the operational costs for the Lovejoy to Atlanta commuter rail project and that
the burden for covering said shortfall shall not fall to the taxpayers of
Clayton County and the other counties and municipalities along the proposed
Lovejoy-Atlanta commuter rail line.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall deliver a copy of this resolution to the appropriate officials of the county and municipal governments along the line of the proposed project and to the commissioner of transportation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall deliver a copy of this resolution to the appropriate officials of the county and municipal governments along the line of the proposed project and to the commissioner of transportation.