Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

Transportation has been an issue ever since I was a little girl growing up in DeKalb County. There is no reason why it's still an issue when so many citizens rely on our highways, streets and MARTA to get from one place to another. An effective transportation system will not only attract more business to Georgia and create an environment conducive to economic development but it will ease the frustrations and gridlock within the district. As your state representative, you can rest assured that transportation will be one of my top priorities.

Action Plan: Recently the legislature passed legislation that would allow the Department of Transportation to change its accounting system from cash basis to accrual. That should free up much needed transportation dollars and allow the DOT to focus on tackeling the transportation and traffic issues around metro-Atlanta as well as create jobs. In addition, we must study the feasibility of expanding MARTA and other country transit systems to decrease pollution and alleviate traffic. The governor signed the TSPLOST bill that divides Georgia in to 12 regional sections and each section will submit a list of planned transportation projects to be funded at the discretion of the strategic planning director. As a former intern on the MARTA Oversight Committee, I promise to work with the DOT and Atlanta Regional Commission to come up with short and long term ways to alleviate traffic and transportation problems and to KEEP you informed about the TSPLOST referendum that will be on the ballot in August of 2012. Businesses will not relocate to Georgia if transportation remains an issue. We must come up with a comprehensive plan to re-arrange traffic and roadways in Georgia in the most efficient and expeditious way. But we must also make sure that those that are taking advantage of our regional transit systems pay for their use.

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