Rep. Lewis Responds To Perdue's Unfair Criticism About Transportation Funding

Press Release

"It is a shame and a disgrace that someone in Governor Sonny Perdue's office would take a cheap partisan shot on an issue that means so much to the people of Georgia. Transportation should be at the top of every elected official's agenda in Atlanta, and it has been a major focus for me throughout my entire tenure in Congress.

"I have brought back hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to help solve Georgia's transportation problems over the years, only to have millions left unused by the state. I secured tens of millions for the Multi-Modal Terminal, the Georgia Commuter Rail, and the Lovejoy to Griffin line.

For ten years, over $100 million of that money has been left waiting to be used. Even in the face of this poor management, I have used my influence to add language to a House bill which extends the deadline for this funding, so the people of Georgia will not lose this federal support. That bill has passed in the House and is waiting for action by the Senate.

"More recently, partly due to my influence and the power of the Democratic majority, the Georgia Department of Transportation was a top recipient of stimulus dollars. GDOT alone received nearly $572 million in stimulus funding, without any Republican support from our delegation and in spite of criticism by the governor. Yet the state only allocates $2 million in its upcoming budget to MARTA, a vital transportation resource which is $160 million in debt. Last year, I did my part. MARTA received more than $60 million in federal funds.

"I have said for years that Georgia needs a comprehensive, regional transportation plan to solve our problems. That is not the responsibility of any federal authority, but it rests squarely on the shoulders of the governor. While Georgia dawdles, other states like Florida and North Carolina are seizing opportunities to use transportation as a means to draw big business, opportunity, and jobs to their states. Georgia is not in the running because it does not have a plan.
"I have done my part and will continue to bring federal money home to the people of Atlanta. Now it is time for other responsible officials to do theirs."

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