Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

Georgia has been trapped in a continuous loop of old ideas and ever-expanding roads. The lack of long-term planning has negatively impacted the environment, cost us jobs, and kept us away from our families.

Transportation must be at the forefront of the legislature's priorities, not only because it impacts our daily quality of life, but because our neighboring states are aggressively planning for their transportation futures, and leaving us behind in the race for job creation, economic development and environmental sustainability.

To truly move forward, we have to admit that we cannot pave our way out of the current crisis, like the proposals to build a highway tunnel underneath this district. Instead, we must embrace a variety of robust transportation options. It's time for a fresh start, and we can lead the way.

* EXPAND TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES IN OUR DISTRICT
Traffic congestion costs us billions each year in fuel and lost productivity. To get people out of their cars, we must expand transit alternatives by allowing MARTA the flexibility it needs to expand its network of buses and trains. Further, we must maintain and build new sidewalks, and invest in new bike lanes and pedestrian paths.

The ability to expand transportation within our district depends upon having real funding solutions at the state level. I will work to ensure that transportation planning in District 42 is integrated with regional transit and economic development.
* DEVELOP INNOVATIVE TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS FOR OUR STATE
For decades, Metro Atlanta has been the most important transportation center in the South. But we are in danger of letting that status slip away. Georgia recently lost out on millions of dollars in federal transportation funding because we have no plan for high speed rail. Meanwhile neighboring states like Florida and North Carolina invested in progressive transportation solutions and are now reaping the benefits.

If Georgia is going to compete for new jobs and other resources, we need a transportation plan that goes beyond expanding our existing highways. And we need leadership in the legislature to ensure long-term funding mechanisms at the state and federal levels. I will work with the state, regional and local leaders, as well as the Obama Administration, to develop real plans for high speed rail links between Georgia's cities, intermodal transit hubs, and smart initiatives to reduce gridlock.

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