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Lawmakers may end tax break on jet fuel, to Delta’s dismay

FILE - In this April 14, 2008 file photo, a Delta Airlines jet departs Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta. Georgia lawmakers could take the rare step of eliminating a corporate tax break this session _ despite opposition from one of the state's largest employers, Delta Airlines. State Rep. Earl Ehrhart's initial proposal would only have cut Delta's exemption from taxes on jet fuel but now would affect all airlines. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, file)
FILE - In this April 14, 2008 file photo, a Delta Airlines jet departs Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta. Georgia lawmakers could take the rare step of eliminating a corporate tax break this session _ despite opposition from one of the state's largest employers, Delta Airlines. State Rep. Earl Ehrhart's initial proposal would only have cut Delta's exemption from taxes on jet fuel but now would affect all airlines. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, file) FILE - In this April 14, 2008 file photo, a Delta Airlines jet departs Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta. Georgia lawmakers could take the rare step of eliminating a corporate tax break this session _ despite opposition from one of the state's largest employers, Delta Airlines. State Rep. Earl Ehrhart's initial proposal would only have cut Delta's exemption from taxes on jet fuel but now would affect all airlines. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, file)

By Associated Press 3 min read

ATLANTA (AP) – Georgia lawmakers may eliminate a tax break for airlines buying jet fuel at the world’s busiest airport, setting up a face-off with one of the state’s largest employers, Atlanta-based Delta Airlines.

The latest version of the bill from Republican Rep. Earl Ehrhart would remove the break for all airlines, updating his original proposal to end only Delta’s. State officials estimate the exemption is worth about $23 million, and supporters of the bill said that money could be used for aviation-related upgrades throughout the state.

But the proposal also has become a political flashpoint. From the House floor early this session, Ehrhart accused one of Delta’s lobbyists of threatening members who had signed on. The company has denied that.

Ehrhart still bristled this week at the airline’s opposition to eliminating the perk while its CEO has been a prominent backer of more revenue to improve Georgia’s roads and other infrastructure.

“It’s been said that we need to step up and tax individuals in our district for transportation,” Ehrhart said this week in a subcommittee. “After you.”