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Post by dawgonit on Apr 1, 2015 20:49:08 GMT
Shortly before midnight Tuesday, Georgia lawmakers put the finishing touches on a major bill aimed at fixing the state’s crumbling network of roads and bridges. Meanwhile, a surprise, late-night amendment to separate legislation could allow for a dramatic expansion of MARTA.
A compromise bill raising more than $900 million emerged from conference committee just after 9:30 p.m. About an hour later, the House passed it overwhelmingly. The Senate soon followed, but not before several rank-and-file Republicans blasted the bill as an egregious tax hike.
--Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle: Senator from the 28th state your inquiry.
--Sen. Mike Crane, R-Newnan: Mr. President, isn’t it true that this is an unqualified midnight run on Georgia taxpayers?
--Cagle: I think that’s extremely offensive to every [one] of your colleagues.
The bill raises hundreds of millions of dollars by phasing out the state's 4 percent sales tax on gas, while hiking the excise tax on gas by 18.5 cents per gallon. It also adds new fees on truckers, electric car owners, and hotel guests. In addition, the bill eliminates tax breaks for electric car purchases and Atlanta-based Delta Airlines.
House Speaker David Ralston said the months of debate and negotiation paid off.
"We have done what many, many years of General Assemblies have failed to do by passing something that’s significant, that's meaningful, and I couldn’t be prouder of the vote of this House tonight," Ralston said.
The bill also allows individual counties and regions to partner together and pass a local transportation sales tax. That was a provision welcomed by transit advocates, but the encore for many of them came after the transportation bill passed.
In a surprise move, the Senate amended a separate bill that would allow Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties to increase the MARTA sales tax, which currently stands at 1 percent. Those counties could ask voters to raise it to 1.5 percent, potentially boosting MARTA’s funding by $200 million per year.
"It’s a game-changer, and we’re really excited," said Colleen Kiernan, head of the Georgia chapter of the Sierra Club. "It elevates MARTA’s ability to be flexible and meet Metro Atlanta’s transit riders’ needs."
The MARTA bill still needs to pass the House. The larger transportation bill, meanwhile, goes to the governor’s desk.
This year's legislative session is scheduled to wrap up Thursday.
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Post by mattfoley on Apr 1, 2015 21:02:04 GMT
I was stuck on 400 yesterday in standstill traffic due to a wreck, and I had no tmb. This is my personal hell.
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Post by whereeaglesdurrr on Apr 1, 2015 21:49:19 GMT
Awesome for Marta.
Eating at Empire State South
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Post by clownbaby on Apr 1, 2015 21:57:02 GMT
LOL at stuhly grabbing an early bird special. He is so old.
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Post by whereeaglesdurrr on Apr 1, 2015 22:07:52 GMT
LOL at stuhly grabbing an early bird special. He is so old. Forgot to add tonight |
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Post by highcotton on Apr 1, 2015 22:16:52 GMT
ESS for my bonus dinner in a few weeks, I'm just telling the girl its a celebration of her new job.
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Post by whereeaglesdurrr on Apr 2, 2015 1:00:34 GMT
Shit was money. Old fashions were solid. Duck was great. Wish we got the jars as an app. Crawfish app was good. Coffee was great. Bread pudding and peanut butter whatever was good.
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watson
New Member
Likes: 12
Posts: 17 
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Post by watson on Apr 2, 2015 14:35:21 GMT
Shortly before midnight Tuesday, Georgia lawmakers put the finishing touches on a major bill aimed at fixing the state’s crumbling network of roads and bridges. Meanwhile, a surprise, late-night amendment to separate legislation could allow for a dramatic expansion of MARTA. A compromise bill raising more than $900 million emerged from conference committee just after 9:30 p.m. About an hour later, the House passed it overwhelmingly. The Senate soon followed, but not before several rank-and-file Republicans blasted the bill as an egregious tax hike. --Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle: Senator from the 28th state your inquiry. --Sen. Mike Crane, R-Newnan: Mr. President, isn’t it true that this is an unqualified midnight run on Georgia taxpayers? --Cagle: I think that’s extremely offensive to every [one] of your colleagues. The bill raises hundreds of millions of dollars by phasing out the state's 4 percent sales tax on gas, while hiking the excise tax on gas by 18.5 cents per gallon. It also adds new fees on truckers, electric car owners, and hotel guests. In addition, the bill eliminates tax breaks for electric car purchases and Atlanta-based Delta Airlines. House Speaker David Ralston said the months of debate and negotiation paid off. "We have done what many, many years of General Assemblies have failed to do by passing something that’s significant, that's meaningful, and I couldn’t be prouder of the vote of this House tonight," Ralston said. The bill also allows individual counties and regions to partner together and pass a local transportation sales tax. That was a provision welcomed by transit advocates, but the encore for many of them came after the transportation bill passed. In a surprise move, the Senate amended a separate bill that would allow Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties to increase the MARTA sales tax, which currently stands at 1 percent. Those counties could ask voters to raise it to 1.5 percent, potentially boosting MARTA’s funding by $200 million per year.
"It’s a game-changer, and we’re really excited," said Colleen Kiernan, head of the Georgia chapter of the Sierra Club. "It elevates MARTA’s ability to be flexible and meet Metro Atlanta’s transit riders’ needs." The MARTA bill still needs to pass the House. The larger transportation bill, meanwhile, goes to the governor’s desk. This year's legislative session is scheduled to wrap up Thursday. Huge bill, and a giant fuck you to SC for never voting to raise taxes to improve its shitty roads. Should've kept the electric car incentives in place for another few years. |
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Post by whammybusiness on Apr 2, 2015 14:37:57 GMT
Heading to Atlanta a week from tomorrow. Good times will be had.
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Post by clownbaby on Apr 2, 2015 22:49:21 GMT
"Rain starts, brain farts" is a new phrase I'm coining right now to describe the idiots in this city driving when it rains. Some dipshit is going 5 mph down Spring St right now because there are some puddles...in a Dodge fucking Ram
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Post by dawgonit on Apr 3, 2015 12:58:00 GMT
Shortly before midnight Tuesday, Georgia lawmakers put the finishing touches on a major bill aimed at fixing the state’s crumbling network of roads and bridges. Meanwhile, a surprise, late-night amendment to separate legislation could allow for a dramatic expansion of MARTA. A compromise bill raising more than $900 million emerged from conference committee just after 9:30 p.m. About an hour later, the House passed it overwhelmingly. The Senate soon followed, but not before several rank-and-file Republicans blasted the bill as an egregious tax hike. --Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle: Senator from the 28th state your inquiry. --Sen. Mike Crane, R-Newnan: Mr. President, isn’t it true that this is an unqualified midnight run on Georgia taxpayers? --Cagle: I think that’s extremely offensive to every [one] of your colleagues. The bill raises hundreds of millions of dollars by phasing out the state's 4 percent sales tax on gas, while hiking the excise tax on gas by 18.5 cents per gallon. It also adds new fees on truckers, electric car owners, and hotel guests. In addition, the bill eliminates tax breaks for electric car purchases and Atlanta-based Delta Airlines. House Speaker David Ralston said the months of debate and negotiation paid off. "We have done what many, many years of General Assemblies have failed to do by passing something that’s significant, that's meaningful, and I couldn’t be prouder of the vote of this House tonight," Ralston said. The bill also allows individual counties and regions to partner together and pass a local transportation sales tax. That was a provision welcomed by transit advocates, but the encore for many of them came after the transportation bill passed. In a surprise move, the Senate amended a separate bill that would allow Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties to increase the MARTA sales tax, which currently stands at 1 percent. Those counties could ask voters to raise it to 1.5 percent, potentially boosting MARTA’s funding by $200 million per year.
"It’s a game-changer, and we’re really excited," said Colleen Kiernan, head of the Georgia chapter of the Sierra Club. "It elevates MARTA’s ability to be flexible and meet Metro Atlanta’s transit riders’ needs." The MARTA bill still needs to pass the House. The larger transportation bill, meanwhile, goes to the governor’s desk. This year's legislative session is scheduled to wrap up Thursday. well the lat night MARTA addition failed miserably - they were afraid it would violate a state cap on sales tax. fucking shit. probably wouldn't have been able to vote it in anyway but still sucks |
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Post by whereeaglesdurrr on Apr 3, 2015 13:20:12 GMT
Well that sucks.
Saporta Report had an article that said while the tax on gas can't be used for transit, the fees and fines collected can.
So there is some hope that the 900mm can get directed to non road shit.
The Atlanta Regional Commission was looking into the bill and is still trying to gauge all the nuances.
There was no monetary value put on the non tax portion in the article.
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Post by highcotton on Apr 3, 2015 14:22:15 GMT
Dave O'Brien tweets about Kendrick Lamar and Ledbetter's mock draft has the Falcons taking Gurley at 8th. I'm done with Atlanta for the day.
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Post by whereeaglesdurrr on Apr 3, 2015 19:01:46 GMT
Man, it is fucking awesome out.
Drinking some Bourbon and reading some excel nonsense.
Ate Heirloom BBQ today for the first time. Was fucking delicious. Want to use that Hotlanta sauce next time
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Post by w00ds0n2 on Apr 6, 2015 23:15:02 GMT
Rumor has it that the guy who took down TMB was caught on camera eating at the Alpharetta Cheesecake Factory.
Leg session was a disappointment with the MARTA money vanishing. I expect it to come up again next year. Son of TSPLOST could net up to $500M for Fulton County should they choose to head to the box. Utility issue in the Beltline bill got worked out, so that's good.
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Post by whereeaglesdurrr on Apr 6, 2015 23:44:31 GMT
You gotta love shitty home board recs for Atlanta.
Best Italian? Maggianos twice, Brio & then someone suggesting Alfredo's but noted it was in a bad part of town. :laugh:
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Post by borkycucek on Apr 7, 2015 1:05:14 GMT
You gotta love shitty home board recs for Atlanta. Best Italian? Maggianos twice, Brio & then someone suggesting Alfredo's but noted it was in a bad part of town. :laugh: Any Olive Garden recs thrown out there? Or a Cheesecake Factory Cajun Chicken Pasta? |
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Post by dawgonit on Apr 7, 2015 13:38:19 GMT
finally got to Ladybird on saturday - was wide open when we got there around 1 but was slammed by 3. place is great. they need to go ahead and take down all the plastic on the semi-closed porch
had elmyriachi last night for the first time - that turkey chorizo don't play
also I think the future mrs. dawgonit want to move to kirkwood now.
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Post by highcotton on Apr 7, 2015 13:45:29 GMT
finally got to Ladybird on saturday - was wide open when we got there around 1 but was slammed by 3. place is great. they need to go ahead and take down all the plastic on the semi-closed porch had elmyriachi last night for the first time - that turkey chorizo don't play also I think the future mrs. dawgonit want to move to kirkwood now. I'm obsessed with el myriachi, had the chiliquiles Saturday, the turkey chorizo burrito is next. |
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Post by Larry Sura on Apr 7, 2015 13:48:45 GMT
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Post by ginbuckhead on Apr 7, 2015 14:24:51 GMT
Hey guys... Anyone do the Beltline Boil this weekend? Music was alright, but the crowds, beer lines, and beer selections were pretty awful.
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Post by dawgonit on Apr 7, 2015 15:01:18 GMT
finally got to Ladybird on saturday - was wide open when we got there around 1 but was slammed by 3. place is great. they need to go ahead and take down all the plastic on the semi-closed porch had elmyriachi last night for the first time - that turkey chorizo don't play also I think the future mrs. dawgonit want to move to kirkwood now. I'm obsessed with el myriachi, had the chiliquiles Saturday, the turkey chorizo burrito is next. made the comment last night that I will do my best to order something different every time I go. |
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Post by ginbuckhead on Apr 7, 2015 17:57:04 GMT
I had a ton of friends at Ladybird Saturday... They all headed there when they realized how shitty the Beltline Boil was.
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Post by clownbaby on Apr 7, 2015 18:14:02 GMT
Is this actually Gin Buckets or is it a parody
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Post by whereeaglesdurrr on Apr 7, 2015 18:53:05 GMT
finally got to Ladybird on saturday - was wide open when we got there around 1 but was slammed by 3. place is great. they need to go ahead and take down all the plastic on the semi-closed porch had elmyriachi last night for the first time - that turkey chorizo don't play also I think the future mrs. dawgonit want to move to kirkwood now. No too many dawgs in my hood. Kirkwood is the best Hood in Zone 6 |
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Post by whereeaglesdurrr on Apr 7, 2015 18:55:45 GMT
Hey guys... Anyone do the Beltline Boil this weekend? Music was alright, but the crowds, beer lines, and beer selections were pretty awful. Yeah. Got there at 1230 and first beer line was massive. Hit up all the tastings besides two urban licks, line was dumb long. Then left at 230. Just awful to have 2 beers spots for all those people. In top of that they had shit beer. Fuck Blue Moon sponsoring shit. Walked to lady bird and drank there vs drinking at the fest |
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Post by whereeaglesdurrr on Apr 7, 2015 18:57:48 GMT
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Post by borkycucek on Apr 7, 2015 19:10:16 GMT
Hey guys... Anyone do the Beltline Boil this weekend? Music was alright, but the crowds, beer lines, and beer selections were pretty awful. Yeah. Got there at 1230 and first beer line was massive. Hit up all the tastings besides two urban licks, line was dumb long. Then left at 230. Just awful to have 2 beers spots for all those people. In top of that they had shit beer. Fuck Blue Moon sponsoring shit. Walked to lady bird and drank there vs drinking at the fest Sounds like they didn't improve on anything from last year. |
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Post by highcotton on Apr 7, 2015 19:10:19 GMT
Trying to tie this to transit is a reach. Transit is simply not an option for the vast majority of Atlantas and it won't be until long after we're gone. This got fucked at origination and I just don't see anything tangible being done to improve it anytime soon. No new stations, no new tracks on the horizon, no new intown infrastructure is on the horizon. Lights are back out at the Candler Station. To be fair, if there are no operational improvements evidenced to the ridership, no one is going to want to ride or use MARTA anyways. At this point, MARTA leadership has fallen well short of their goals to improve the system and deserve all the criticism directed their way. To the every day rider, Parker looks like he is just stealing his paycheck since there is nothing tangible to show for it operationally. |
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Post by ginbuckhead on Apr 7, 2015 19:53:36 GMT
Yeah. Got there at 1230 and first beer line was massive. Hit up all the tastings besides two urban licks, line was dumb long. Then left at 230. Just awful to have 2 beers spots for all those people. In top of that they had shit beer. Fuck Blue Moon sponsoring shit. Walked to lady bird and drank there vs drinking at the fest Sounds like they didn't improve on anything from last year. It was pretty terrible... I wanted to go to Ladybird, but my buddies were meeting up with chicks and therefore sandbagged until it was almost game time and I had to get to the Ivy stat. |
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