State considering transit funding options

AJC reports:

Study: How state can invest in transit

Georgia’s shortfall in transportation financing could be solved with a combination of funding, from a new odometer tax to redirecting car registration and parking fees that currently go to general government coffers, a consulting company said Wednesday.

The state Transportation Board heard the findings in a presentation but didn’t formally endorse them. Board members —- and a stream of recent studies —- say the state and Atlanta area are in critical need of new transportation funding. But some members were wary about seeming to endorse any particular tax.

“I don’t want it said of us that we’re advocating, for example, an ad valorem tax,” said board Vice Chairman Larry Walker. “I think a firestorm would go across the state.”

Gov. Sonny Perdue charged the consultant, McKinsey & Co., with making a business case for transportation investment. McKinsey released figures showing Georgia invested less per capita in transportation than all states but Tennessee. He said keeping on that road could cost hundreds of thousands of jobs and $500 billion-plus in economic benefits.