Georgia House committee passes freight funding measure

A bill that could pave the way for a major expansion of road and rail funding cleared a Georgia House committee Thursday.

House Bill 617 would create a new Georgia Freight 2050 Program to address highway widenings, interchange improvements, rail crossings and other improvements needed to keep freight moving. The bill would create a budget fund but does not contain any funding for those improvements.

Lawmakers have been discussing how to pay for them, but it’s unclear whether they will propose a funding measure this session.

Two years ago, a legislative committee recommended Georgia spend an additional $1 billion to $1.5 billion a year to address freight transportation needs. The committee’s report said the money could come from a variety of sources, including transportation user fees, levies on home-delivered packages, new fuel taxes and assessments on warehouse and distribution facilities.

About the Author

Georgia House gives final approval to campaign finance overhaul

The Georgia House of Representatives Monday approved Senate Bill 199, a significant rewrite of state campaign reporting requirements.

Child care tax relief plan clears the Georgia Senate

The Georgia Senate Friday approved a revised proposal for child care tax credits.

Pay raises for top Georgia officials? Not so fast

State legislators Friday voted against proposals that would have given raises to themselve and other Georgia officials.

The Latest

Credit: Adam Beam/AJC

Georgia House gives final approval to campaign finance overhaul

Child care tax relief plan clears the Georgia Senate

Pay raises for top Georgia officials? Not so fast

Featured

Credit: Jenni Girtman

Mass layoffs underway at Atlanta-based CDC

Public health experts say the CDC cuts could represent generational damage to health research and the elimination of infectious diseases.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank discusses his hourlong phone call with Kirk Cousins

“I had a long and impactful conversation with him,” the Atlanta Falcons owner said at the NFL annual meeting on Tuesday.

Atlanta rapper Young Scooter died after cutting leg on wood fence, medical examiner says

New details still have investigators asking questions about the death of the rapper, who police say died after falling while running from officers responding to a 911 call.