Bloglanta

Recently, Jill Chambers, Chair of MARTOC in the Georgia General Assembly, scuttled MARTA’s effort to extend the 55-45% split of sales tax revenue. The MARTA act sets a limit on 50% of sales taxes to be used for operations. Three years ago the General Assembly increased that to 55% to allow MARTA to get through the recession in sales tax receipts without more fare hikes and service cutbacks.

 MARTA went back to the legislature this year to get this extended for another five years. Rep. Chambers demanded a series of financial reports in order to justify the sales tax allocation change. If the extension is not approved in the next three days then MARTA will have to prepare their 2006 budget without the extra operating money from sales taxes for next year.

  MARTA delivered the reports to Rep. Chambers today. Now Representative Chambers needs to make good and allow a vote on the Sales Tax allocation change.

With the Legislature looking to go home on April Fools Day, quick action is needed now!

Unless this happens MARTA way well have to resort to fair hikes to pay for service and further cut back bus service!

MARTA remains the largest transit system to receive no state money.  Letting them control how they allocate their own seems in order.

 Please Call Representative Jill Chambers 404-656-3949 and ask her to allow a vote on the MARTA Sales Tax Allocation: SB 114.***

 Representative Chambers represents North DeKalb, so please contact your friends in DeKalb County and get them to contact Rep. Chambers.*