After much debate on the issue, Senate Resolution 821 was passed in the 2010 General Assembly, which sends to the issue to the voters. On the November 2, 2010 election ballot, voters will be asked to amend Georgia’s Constitution to allow GDOT to enter into multi-year construction agreements. Currently, GDOT is required to have all the funds on hand when the project contract is signed. If passed, the change to the Constitution would allow GDOT to pay for the project as it is being constructed.

• GDOT's 1-page brochure on SR 821
• GDOT Fact Sheet on SR 821
• GDOT's website on SR 821

Also during the 2010 legislative session, House Bill 277 was passed and signed by Governor Perdue. HB 277 creates a regional one percent transportation sales tax based on regional commission boundaries.  The process to start developing a project list begins this summer and the referendum to approve the tax will be on the August 2012 ballot in every region of the state, except those that opt out.  In the metro Atlanta region, 15% of the funds will be returned based on a modified LARP formula to each county and city for discretionary local transportation projects. In other regions, 25% of the funds will be returned.  In addition to the regional sales tax, a statewide human services transportation coordinating council is established and some financial relief is provided to MARTA.

GBT will continue working with the many different organizations involved in this issue to educate the public and promote the measure on the 2012 ballot.

At GBT's April Board meeting, Todd Long, Planning Director of GDOT made a presentation on HB 277.

ACCG prepared an excellent summary of HB 277