The Get Georgia Moving coalition, which represents more than 50 groups across Georgia -- including business leaders, government leaders, transit advocates, road builders and environmentalists -- on Aug. 14 honored several key members of the Georgia General Assembly with the "Champions of Mobility" Award.At a celebration in Atlanta, Get Georgia Moving presented the honors to Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), Senate Transportation Subcommittee on Rail Chairman Doug Stoner (D-Smyrna), House Transportation Committee Chairman Vance Smith (R-Pine Mountain) and House Caucus Committee Vice Chair Donna Shelton (R-Dacula). Mullis is seen at left receiving his award from Get Georgia Moving Executive Director Terry Chastain.
All four legislators served on the Joint Transportation Study Committee in 2007, and all contributed long hours in a bipartisan effort to promote a regional transportation funding proposal during the 2008 legislative session. The proposal was conceived to combat a multibillion-dollar shortfall in the state transportation budget that has led to the cancellation of hundreds of projects across Georgia, threatening economic development and creating some of the nation's worst congestion.
"These four lawmakers have worked tirelessly to address Georgia's critical transportation needs," said Charles Tarbutton, assistant vice president of Sandersville Railroad Company, chairman of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the Get Georgia Moving coalition. "We commend them for moving the ball on this important issue, and we anticipate significant progress toward a solution in 2009. This is a problem that simply must be resolved, for the sake of nearly 10 million people who live in Georgia and the millions more who will join them in the next several years."
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson and Dick Anderson, Executive Director of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, also spoke at the ceremony. Anderson gave an update on Gov. Sonny Perdue's IT3 initiative, which is working on solutions tothe funding shortfall. Isakson, a supporter of the regional TSPLOST concept and other financing options, spoke about the need for adequate infrastructure funding in Georgia and at the federal level.
"Looking ahead, Get Georgia Moving and our legislative champions are even more united and determined to pass legislation in 2009," said Joe Leonard, retired chairman of AirTran Airways, chairman of the transportation policy committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the Get Georgia Moving Coalition. "Now more than ever, Georgia needs a transportation stimulus package to provide mobility, jobs and prosperity in both rural and urban Georgia. Our coalition is committed to working with the Governor, House, Senate and all stakeholders to find the right stimulus and funding policies for Georgia."
The Get Georgia Moving coalition supports a funding mechanism that will relieve traffic congestion, ensure air quality and promote economic development. To that end, the coalition also supports efforts to optimize current revenue sources, invest in transit and all other modes of transportation, and support innovative funding programs.
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