Transportation Funding Formula

Support Changes to Georgia’s Formula for Funding Transportation by Congressional District

WHEREAS, the Georgia General Assembly, in 1999, passed a state law requiring the Georgia Department of Transportation to divide at least 85 percent of its funds from the State Public Transportation Fund equally among Georgia’s thirteen congressional districts, with no district receiving total funding which is 20 percent greater than any other congressional district; and

WHEREAS, this congressionally balanced approach to transportation funding does not recognize the complexity of the metro Atlanta region and the fact that Georgia’s citizens do not drive only in their congressional district; and

WHEREAS, a congressional district in metro Atlanta could spend its entire funding allotment on an expressway interchange, thus impeding the ability to address major areas of congestion in heavily traveled corridors that feed the larger expressway system; and

WHEREAS, metro Atlanta has one of the highest levels of traffic congestion in the country; and

WHEREAS, the Atlanta Regional Commission estimates an additional 2.3 million people to move to the region over the next 25 years; and

WHEREAS, the newcomers will increase the miles driven on area roads by 40 percent; and

WHEREAS, the economy of metro Atlanta will suffer if congestion with the associated problems of air quality worsen; and

WHEREAS, the economic well-being of the state of Georgia is heavily tied to economic conditions in metro Atlanta; and

WHEREAS, the current law requiring the congressional balancing of transportation funds provides for the exemption of projects developed for the following purposed: Developmental Highway System (GRIP); Georgia Regional Transportation Authority; Georgia Ports Authority and Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transportation Authority;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association supports the addition of “Interstate work” to the list of exemptions in order to provide greater flexibility in addressing transportation needs and to prevent some congressional districts from being shortchanged because of major Interstate project work.

Approved September 30, 2004