In a recent statement by John Oxendine, transportation is the only issue which affects all other issues. He said that Georgia must get serious about addressing the transportation crisis and that means we must prioritize spending in this area...
In a statement issued by the John Oxendine camp, in a John Oxendine Administration, the very first executive action will be to produce a budget which provides a significant investment increase in spending on transportation. Transportation is the only issue which affects all other issues. Georgia must get serious about addressing the transportation crisis and that means we must prioritize spending in this area.
Georgia is the fourth fastest growing state but fourth from the bottom in spending on transportation. That will not be the reality in a John Oxendine Administration.
Georgia must have a comprehensive statewide transportation plan.
Transportation must be thought of globally and on a statewide basis.
Georgia must be ready not only at Hartsfield-Jackson, but at the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick. We must be ready to move people from suburb to suburb, one part of Georgia to another, from rural to urban. Georgia must find ways to get commuters and business vehicles through the bottleneck of Atlanta traffic. At the end of the day, this issue is about helping business, the commerce of business, and maintaining the flow and profit of business as well as providing quality of life for our citizens so that they spend more time with their families and less time in traffic.
A John Oxendine Administration will:
•Focus transportation planning on increasing mobility
•Facilitate private enterprise involvement in transportation improvements
•Rethink how we price roads – however, no taxes or fees on existing roads
•Plan for increased capacity in growing urban areas
•Relieve congestion by expediting truck traffic
•Deregulate the urban transit market to improve service and choice
•Utilize competitive contracting to reduce costs
•Reduce the role of the federal government in the transportation funding routes
An area of concern for motor truckers and the average American family is the high price of gas that is continuing to hamper our economy. The increased cost of diesel fuel and its effects on the trucking industry is a serious matter. This problem underscores our need to invest in a robust domestic fuels infrastructure, focusing on alternative fuels.
A John Oxendine Administration will support exploring our own reserves in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, known as ANWR. We can be good stewards of our land while at the same time exploring for resources that lessen our dependence on foreign oil.
The 2005 reauthorization of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users, also known as SAFETEA-LU, was unprecedented in the amount of funding it authorized for transportation projects across the country. But, while the level of authorized funding was increased, the amount of actual dollars available from the Highway Trust Fund decreased because its source of funding - the gas tax - decreased. High gas prices forced more Americans to drive less and to use mass transit more, resulting in lower gas tax collections nationwide.
For the 2009 reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU, of which a timetable has not yet been set for that reauthorization process, I will lead the effort to rally states to urge Congress to find creative ways to increase transportation funding. Increasing highway tolls will be among the options on the table. However, the trucking industry - one of the driving forces of our state’s economy.
Another key transportation issue is the safety of our nation's bridges.
The tragic accident in Minnesota highlighted the need for innovative funding mechanisms for not only new construction, but also for maintenance of existing bridges.
Georgia has approximately 9,000 bridges statewide, and the Georgia Department of Transportation inspects all of them at a minimum of every two years, with many inspections occurring annually. Half of Georgia's bridges are "on system," controlled by the state, while the remainder are "off system" and controlled by the city or county in which they are located.
GDOT spends roughly $100 million per year on bridge maintenance, but estimates that $2.5 billion is necessary to replace all currently structurally deficient bridges, which means not only that they are beginning to wear, but repair or replacement is advised. We must continue to look to innovation in both technology and funding to meet our many needs.
A John Oxendine Administration will recognize transportation infrastructure is a critical resource to the State of Georgia in providing greater mobility and a higher quality of life.
A John Oxendine Administration will recognize transportation is essential to the commerce and the provision of goods and services throughout Georgia.
A John Oxendine Administration will understand the crucial role of transportation in order to sustain economic growth.
A John Oxendine Administration will support legislation creating an effective State Infrastructure Bank in Georgia. These funds will be used to provide loans and credit enhancements to government units and private entities for use in constructing and improving transportation facilities throughout the state.
A John Oxendine Administration will support legislation relating to the procedure for awarding design build contracts and to significantly increase the frequency in which they are used.
A John Oxendine Administration will support state funds be dedicated in a phased-in approach to provide appropriate funding to our statewide General Aviation airports and state wide rail system.
A John Oxendine Administration will work with the railroad industry to create a viable alternative for the transport for freight.
A John Oxendine Administration will support legislation allowing counties to join as a region to hold a referendum to pass a maximum one-cent tax for transportation projects.
A John Oxendine Administration will support legislation requiring the development of a Statewide Transportation Plan, to be approved by the General Assembly, and updated every five years thereafter.
A John Oxendine Administration will support the concept of value engineering and will direct GDOT to use the practice of value engineering when designing and contracting projects.
A John Oxendine Administration will direct GDOT to provide a report on the overall statewide concession plan by a date certain and to institute a schedule for regular reports to be presented to the House and Senate Transportation Committees.
A John Oxendine Administration will direct GDOT to award project contracts, wheresuitable, using the public-private method of construction and finance.
A John Oxendine Administration will support the inclusion of transit in the statewide transportation plan to provide Georgians and visitors with an effective,efficient, and customer-friendly transit system in a transit-friendly environment.
A John Oxendine Administration will direct GDOT to conduct a Regional HOT Lane Network Feasibility and Implementation Study.
A John Oxendine Administration will direct GDOT to continue to reduce costs and privatize those functions which can be supported by the private sector.
A John Oxendine Administration will support legislation creating a Joint Transportation Oversight Committee in the General Assembly to review ongoing transportation issues and concerns.
A John Oxendine Administration will support legislation defining the authority of the various transportation agencies which exist in Georgia and mandate a final transportation plan approved by the Georgia General Assembly.
A John Oxendine Administration will direct GDOT to prioritize the major road projects identified by the Georgia Ports Authority in Savannah and Brunswick to make sure that our deep water ports are the very best on the east coast. Georgia must do all we can to maintain our ports as they are essential to our statewide economic development.
A John Oxendine Administration will support legislation creating the Georgia Council for Rural and Human Services Transportation to be composed of the Commissioners of GDOT, the Department of Human Resources, the Department of Community Health, the Department of Education, and the Department of Labor.
A John Oxendine Administration will support a serious teleworking program for both state and local governments and the private sector. Georgia universities must have their business schools develop classes to teach business majors how to manage in the 21st Century and that includes how to manage teleworkers.
A John Oxendine Administration will support additional funding for the HERO program. This program has demonstrated real change in reducing congestion in metro Atlanta. Georgia needs to expand the program in both metro Atlanta and statewide.
A John Oxendine Administration will support a resolution urging the U.S. Department of Transportation to dissolve, or "turn back," the federal highway and transit program to the states by allowing them to take over collection of the federal fuel tax and spend those revenues on transportation priorities of their own choosing, not the federal government’s.
A John Oxendine Administration will direct the Commission for a New Georgia to present a plan within the first year of my Administration to move state agencies out of the downtown Atlanta area to locations along the MARTA rail line and the proposed rail line from Griffin to Atlanta to relieve the congestion leading into the downtown area and to encourage state employees to use public transportation to commute to work.
A John Oxendine Administration will work closely with the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Clean Air Campaign, GDOT, and GRTA to establish new behavior by both the public and private sector to influence commute behavior in the metro Atlanta area. Georgia must combine policy change with incentives to make the choices realistic. Transportation demand management is vital to the future of metro Atlanta.
A John Oxendine Administration will support a one time tax credit for implementing a compressed work week program for both government and the private sector.
A John Oxendine Administration will encourage both government and the private sector to move towards a policy of Parking Cash Out. This will allow the actual economics of transportation decisions to be considered and will impact transportation decisions by employees.
A John Oxendine Administration will support Commuter Choice by allowing public and private sector employers to leverage pre-tax dollars to pay for certain commuter expenses.
A John Oxendine Administration will lead by example. An executive order would go out to both state and local governments to implement a voluntary commute trip reduction policy to urge a commute alternative program.
A John Oxendine Administration will support mandatory in-person compressed work week and telework training for state employees.
A John Oxendine Administration will support a Telework Tax Credit program for both the employer and employee.
A John Oxendine Administration will support the concept of a Corporate Transit Benefit Income Tax Credit.
Beyond only addressing the transportation crisis, a John Oxendine Administration will focus on the positive and pro-active issues facing transportation in Georgia.
Georgia must begin to prepare for the future of air transport, rail transport and the future of our ports in Savannah and Brunswick.
Competition from other states and Canada is stiff and Georgia must plan ahead for the next generation of the foundational structures of transportation which allow us to maintain our pro-business environment and enjoy the quality of life which comes with that.
There is a real concern regarding economic development in rural Georgia.
Some argue that investors have a lack of interest due to the lack of highways in rural Georgia to move the products in a fast and profitable manner.
Georgia must focus on this matter and a John Oxendine Administration will work to include all of Georgia in the development of transportation projects which will both relieve congestion in the metro Atlanta area and offer economic development opportunities across the state.
Georgia faces a transportation crisis. Other than the issue of a terrorist attack, it is the most serious issue facing state government today. The fact is our state leadership has not provided the necessary leadership which the taxpayers of Georgia deserve.
The House and Senate Transportation Committees, and especially their Chairmen, have done their job, the Joint House and Senate Finance Study Committee did their job, the business, academic, environmental, and civic community
A John Oxendine Administration will understand that to provide real change, to provide real leadership, will require a sustained effort over multiple years.
Addressing and solving the congestion and broader transportation crisis will be the top priority for a John Oxendine Administration.
Transportation Statement Issued by John Oxendine, May, 2008
Georgia is ready for the Transportation Legislative Session in January 2009. The Governor and the Legislature need to be ready for Georgia taxpayers in January 2009.
Forbes.com has ranked Atlanta the worst city in America for commuters.
That is unacceptable.
Atlanta is the economic engine which drives the success all Georgia enjoys as the Empire State of the South. An Atlanta that is moving, creating jobs, providing a multi-model hub to transport goods, services and people wins investment of all types of jobs across Georgia. An Atlanta that is ranked as the worst city in America for commuters starts a trickle down affect that will result in Alabama, North Carolina, and other states winning the new economic development opportunities that should come to Georgia.
This past year, Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Jeff Mullis and House Transportation Committee Chairman Vance Smith demonstrated true leadership with their outstanding management of the Joint House and Senate Transportation Funding Study Committee. Their leadership was complimented by the commitment, dedication and objectivity of the members from both the House and Senate who served with them.
In a very real way, their hard work has provided the beginning of a solution to Georgia’s transportation crisis.
Another historic milestone for Georgia occurred in 2008 with the formation of the Get Georgia Moving Coalition. Joe Leonard, Kessel Stelling, Charles Tarbutton and the entire Board of Directors demonstrated that working together, listening, demonstrating an ability to compromise, respect, and trust, Georgian’s can create positive and real solutions.
Their work serves Georgia well and SR 845 needs to become law in January 2009.
At the same time, Georgia is blessed to have solid conservatives such as Senators Judson Hill, Chip Rogers, John Wiles, Ronnie Chance, David Shafer, Bill Heath, Greg Goggans, Nancy Schaefer, Joe Carter, Bill Cowsert, Eric Johnson and Tommie Williams, who understand that elected officials should not vote in favor of constitutional changes without being given the opportunity to read, discuss and debate the legislation.
The final version of SR 845 was offered to the state Senate at five minutes before midnight on the final night of the session. The sponsor of the resolution offered no explanation as to what was actually in the legislation and he took no questions.
Senators were told to hurry up and vote "for it" because "it's good for transportation."
Does Georgia want elected officials who blindly vote in favor of something because someone claims "it's good for transportation," or should we expect public servants who are willing to make a tough vote to preserve the integrity of our state’s Constitution?
Who is to blame for the failure of SR 845 to pass?
Not the Get Georgia Moving Coalition nor the Metro Atlanta Chamber nor the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
Not Senate Transportation Chairman Jeff Mullis or House Transportation Vance Smith.
Not those true conservatives in the Majority Caucus in the Senate, who took a principled stand to demand that on matters involving amending the state Constitution they will insist on behalf of the taxpayers of Georgia, more than five minutes before Sine Die to review and consider such important legislation.
Not the taxpayers of Georgia who, as Sadie Fields of the Georgia Christian Alliance so brilliantly observed, are victims of a crisis that is just as much a social one as it is a business crisis. For every hour a parent spends stuck in congestion away from their children, every event a parent misses due to traffic - this crisis attacks the foundations of Georgia families and that is an attack that I will not let stand.
Transportation and congestion are the number one threat to the economy and quality of life facing Georgians in 2008 and 2009 other than the threat of terrorism.
I call upon the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker to re-authorize the Joint House and Senate Transportation Funding Study Committee and empower them to schedule multiple public hearings across Georgia to fully inform all Georgians about the current version of SR 845.
I call upon the Legislature to reintroduce and pre-file SR 845 as SR 1 for the 2009 Legislative Session.
I call upon the Legislature to work with the Get Georgia Moving Coalition and get moving for Georgia and solve this transportation and congestion crisis.Use objective criteria in choosing commuter and intercity passenger rail– must not be negatively impacted by proposals to increase highway tolls.– united through the Get Georgia Moving Coalition - did their job, it is time that Georgia had a Governor willing to lead on this vital issue and do his job.