Ga. House Committee Passes Transportation Funding Bill

A key Georgia House committee has passed a transportation funding bill after some significant changes.

Cities and schools have said the initial proposal eliminated millions in sales taxes on gasoline from their budgets. Sponsor Rep. Jay Roberts of Ocilla said Wednesday that a new version of the bill allows local governments to continue collecting sales taxes on gas but requires that income is used for transportation purposes, including costs associated with school bus services.

Roberts says another change increases other types of local sales taxes used for property tax relief to 1.25 percent from 1 percent.

It's unclear how much funding the bill will raise considering the changes. Experts have said Georgia needs at least $1 billion just to maintain its roads and bridges.

Tags: transportation funding bill, Jay Roberts, Georgia roads, Ocilla, Georgia House committee