ATLANTA — As the Georgia Legislature heads into the homestretch, Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, said he expects to see many recommendations of the Joint Study Committee on Transportation Funding be adopted.
He said that should include stating support for high speed rail link between the Atlanta and Chattanooga airports and a way for local governments to raise money for transportation projects.
He talked with the Chattanooga Times Free Press last week.
Q: What do you think of the transportation funding proposal passed this week by the House?
A: I’m very pleased with it. My first thought is the transportation issues that we’re dealing with this year are on track. We’ve got a lot of good things going. (Rep. Vance Smith’s) bill out of the House, is very close to ours already.
In fact, the idea is there, the regional SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax) approach, and somewhere between county and defined region is where we’ll meet.
Q: How do you answer critics who say this is a tax increase?
A: Any time you have a tax increase, you should let the citizens decide if they agree. This is allowing local control for a transportation incentive funding measure. I don’t know if many areas in Georgia would do it. My area could possibly think of it in the future.
In metro areas in Georgia where population has its biggest growth, it would be very appealing to them. It’s just another option in the tool bag in enhancing quality of life rather than sitting in traffic in our metro areas.
Q: What’s a viable (funding) option in North Georgia?
A: North Georgia and all of rural Georgia has different transportation challenges. Since we’re a bedroom community in parts of northwestern Georgia to Chattanooga, our north-south connectors need to be improved. I-75 has 95,000-plus cars cross the state line both ways in a 24-hour period. And other roads, (U.S.) Highway 27, Mack Smith Road, etc., they’re all full. ... We’re going to have to improve that. I’m working right now to find funds to enhance those areas.
Q: What do you mean?
A: Georgia has project lists. My effort is to move those up on the Georgia Department of Transportation’s priority list. I’m working to do that.
Q: How realistic is the maglev (magnetic levitation rail) proposal?
A: In the beginning with (former Georgia U.S. Rep.) Newt Gingrich and (Tennessee U.S. Rep.) Zach Wamp, it was somewhat on course. After Speaker of the House Gingrich stepped down, it lost its mobility, but now there’s a new great interest. My job is to politically move that idea to the forefront of decision makers in Washington.
So far in Georgia we have completed our task. In fact, the maglev resolution passed the 30th day. ... I was wondering if it would have any resistance, but it had none. It’s a directive urging them to the build the maglev. We believe now more than ever, private entities could help fund that at a low cost to the taxpayer, even though it’s an estimated $4 billion project, because of the possibilities. Our thought is eventually from Miami to Chicago, but the first leg is Atlanta to Chattanooga. Our job is to move the ball politically, and that’s what we’ve done this year.
Q: How will the Gov. Sonny Perdue’s reduction in state revenue estimates last week affect the legislative session?
A: It gives us a great challenge and a desire to make cuts where needed. With government spending, there are always areas ... we can find to cut. It may be a little painful, but taxpayers will be glad we’re doing our job in reducing spending in the state of Georgia.
Q: How you think the lastminute car tax elimination by the House will play out in the Senate?
A: I’m very grateful to the House for passing a tax cut. We should always be looking for those — a tax cut and reduced spending in our budget. If we accomplish those two feats, that would be an outstanding session in my opinion. Of course, we feel In the Senate, we need to adjust a few details of the legislation. ... I’m certain we’ll be passing it back to them as a perfected piece of legislation.
Q: Would you vote for a statewide Sunday alcohol sales measure?
A: If Sunday sales is a local referendum, I’ll probably be supporting that, and it’s not that I believe in Sunday sales. I just think it’s more important for local jurisdictions to make decisions, not the state ... I assure you, Northwest Georgia wouldn’t be interested in it, but metro Atlanta would be interested in it, and that should be their decision. ... I’ll be voting to give local jurisdictions the decision.
Q: Do you think the Senate will take up statewide Sunday sales with the Gwinnett County stadium bill the House amended?
A: The controversy is this: Will the governor sign it or veto it? The bill it’s on is very important to Gwinnett County, so that will be the controversy, not necessarily the issue. The fear is the governor may veto it. I said I’ll vote for it, but I’ll probably be looking at the Gwinnett delegation to see what their direction is.
NEWSMAKER
Who: Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga
Occupation: Executive director, Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority
Age: 48
Hometown: Chickamauga, Ga.
