Update #3: I spent half the day at the legislature yesterday only to find out I was really tilting at windmills. Thanks to all others among you who gave your time to call, email, show up at the gold dome. Chambers knows that there are citizens lobbying for MARTA, so she can’t bully MARTA into removing lobbyists like she’s done before.

There are two bills that are crucial for MARTA’s operational finances: SB 114 and SB 115. SB 114 limits the MARTA sales tax so that only 55% of it can go toward operations. To be honest, that limit should really be set at 75% for better bus and rail service. Without SB 114, that limit will be set back at 50%. SB 115 gives MARTA the additional flexibility to utilize interest income to go toward operations. SB 115 should be a no-brainer, and it would only be fair to give MARTA that sort of flexibility. Chambers does not yet seem convinced.

As noted in the first update, Chambers has set out to review MARTA’s financial documents thoroughly. Even before reviewing those documents (and after speaking with her in person) it appears she already has some preconceived notions about what she’ll find in there. She’s interested in working with anyone who will help her dig through the information, but she still seems disinterested in approaching MARTA with anything other than an attitude of conflict.

To be even more honest, it would only be fair if roadbuilders were given the same level of scrutiny that MARTA is receiving at this point.

In the meantime, we’ll be downtown again on Thursday to lobby for SB 150. This bill enables the development of streetcar systems wherever they turn out to be economically viable and backed by public-private partnerships. The only senator to vote against it was Douglas. Douglas was also the same senator who questioned the whole idea of the MARTA sales tax at the Senate Transportation Committee meeting, which is moronic when you consider that those taxes were enacted with popular support at the polls. His stand on transportation issues makes me curious about his campaign finances.

In the meantime, if you are available to stop by the gold dome on Thursday to support SB 150, come on out and join the fun. While this bill is expected to pass, your support will ensure its passage and help give some momenteum for other transit-related legislation.

Update #2: It’s not really an update. It’s a reminder that the CfPT Fundraiser is tonight. SB 114 will certainly be a hot topic of discussion.

Update #1: I called Chambers’ office. The aide I spoke with on the phone gave me several points you may want to be prepared for:

1. The governor waited until the last minute to appoint the members of the MARTOC committee, so the committee did not have adequate time to consider bills adequately.
2. MARTA took a long time to produce the financial reports that were requested of them. MARTA delivered a two-foot stack of pages that Rep. Chambers intends to review thoroughly before she makes a decision. In the meantime,
3. SB 114 is tabled until the next legislative session.

My response:

1. This is a time-sensitive issue, and it can’t really wait for the next session
2. I would be willing to volunteer to help review those financial documents so that they can be reviewed both thoroughly and quickly. That way, the bill can be considered for the current legislative session.

I gave the aide my contact info. We’ll see if they accept my offer.

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Recently, Jill Chambers, Chair of MARTOC in the Georgia General Assembly, scuttled MARTA’s effort to extend the 55-45% split of sales tax revenue. The MARTA act sets a limit on 50% of sales taxes to be used for operations. Three years ago the General Assembly increased that to 55% to allow MARTA to get through the recession in sales tax receipts without more fare hikes and service cutbacks.

MARTA went back to the legislature this year to get this extended for another five years. Rep. Chambers demanded a series of financial reports in order to justify the sales tax allocation change. If the extension is not approved in the next three days then MARTA will have to prepare their 2006 budget without the extra operating money from sales taxes for next year.

MARTA delivered the reports to Rep. Chambers today. Now Representative Chambers needs to make good and allow a vote on the Sales Tax allocation change.

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***Please Call Representative Jill Chambers 404-656-3949 and ask her to allow a vote on the MARTA Sales Tax Allocation: SB 114.***

*Representative Chambers represents North DeKalb, so please contact your friends in DeKalb County and get them to contact Rep. Chambers.*

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MARTA considers fare hike, staff cuts

Under pressure from state leaders to eliminate a projected $18 million deficit next year, the MARTA board of directors is poised to propose raising one-way fares to $2.

At a Monday morning budget work session, the MARTA board also agreed to consider retiring or laying off another 130 workers. Most would be middle management employees. Since 2002, MARTA has eliminated more than 700 jobs from its work force.

Board members fretted openly about the potential public backlash and the prospect of losing seasoned experts from its staff. But they acknowledged the importance of further deficit reductions to gaining long-term support from state leaders to keep the MARTA system running.

“We don’t want to turn this battleship so fast we sink it, but we have to turn it, because we’re headed for the iceberg,” said MARTA board member J.Thomas Kilpatrick, an attorney.

The $325 million operating budget for fiscal year 2006 now being considered by the MARTA board would cut the projected deficit from $18 million to $4.4 million.

“Officially, everything’s on the table [for cuts],” said MARTA board chairman Michael Walls.

Other potential proposals for cutting the deficit include an extra $1 surcharge per ride for shuttle service to Braves games and Lakewood concerts, elimination of employer discounted fare cards and reductions in student-discount fare cards.

MARTA staff estimated that the fare hike would cut MARTA’s ridership by more than 3 million annually. The transit system now has approximately 67 million riders annually.

The MARTA board is scheduled to vote on a budget in May. Public hearings on the proposed budget are scheduled for April 19, 20 and 21.

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It’s worth noting that it would make sense for the decision makers involved here, whether that’s the MARTA Board or Jill Chambers, to ask the question, “What would happen to ridership if I make this decision? Will it go up or down?”