County commissioners in Fulton

County and DeKalb County voted late last year to deny the extension of

funding for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) well

into the second quarter of the 21st Century.

It is my belief that maybe

their "shared and stated principle" of denying this rapid transit

contract and assistance agreement pertaining to future rail expansion

alternatives and studies prior to transit funding mechanisms being "spread"

among additional political boundaries may have future validity.

But to take this approach without

further detailed examination and reassessment of the consequences demonstrates

a somewhat lack of concern for the future transportation needs of metro

Atlanta.

The primary issue is the extension

of the current contract, which provides federal matching assistance, from

2032 to 2047 not the funding formula for the system.

It also should be noted that

the city of Atlanta chose not to take any action on this matter last year.

In addition, it should be stated that some current elected officials in

Fulton County and DeKalb County were not participants in the votes last

year on this issue.

Regardless, each of these political

jurisdictions should know that we are still in gridlock throughout

metro Atlanta . Building additional roads will not solve this problem.

Metro Atlanta needs more rail

service. Metro Atlanta needs more rail service as soon as possible. The

future prospects for transportation will not improve because of these

"NO" votes. The "status quo" will eventually lead

to a reduction in the quality of service.

In essence, nothing let me

repeat, nothing will be built in the metro Atlanta area pertaining

to future rail service unless this issue is reconsidered or, in the case

of the city of Atlanta, considered and ultimately approved.

While I would agree that the

current funding formula for MARTA is inadequate for a transportation system

that has evolved into an entity with such a vital regional and statewide

impact, MARTA did not create the funding formula. Those are the rules

as they exist today regarding the funding of the system.

However, to refuse to vote

because of "disagreement" with the current funding formula is

somewhat like refusing to pay social security taxes because of one's dislike

or lack of long-term concern for the system or funding formula. Rather,

the more proactive approach would be to work diligently to change the

formula or participating political jurisdictions in the funding for the

system.

What do these "NO"

votes demonstrate? Many things, but primarily these three:

1) The lack of concern for

the future creditworthiness and favorable bond capacity of MARTA;

2) Lack of consensus on how

metro Atlanta plans to handle our future transportation needs. This particularly

hampers our congressional delegation as they attempt to convince the Bush

Administration and their own colleagues of the need for future intergovernmental

funding of this vital transit system;

And 3), the residents and travelers

driving on metro Atlanta roadways longing for the opportunity to one day

get on a train to take them where they want to be, when they want to be

there, but will not have that opportunity.

What would I suggest? Please

allow me to respectfully offer the following suggestions.

First, Fulton County and DeKalb

County commissioners should be encouraged to reconsider as soon as possible

the rapid transit contract and assistance agreement. The consequences

and benefits, along with their concerns, should be fully aired with a

"spirit of compromise" in their hearts.

Second, the current councilpersons

of the city of Atlanta should take a vote on the issue as soon as possible.

Third, the Georgia General

Assembly should adopt legislation in 2002 that requires any political

jurisdiction that has a voting member on the MARTA Board of Directors

assist in the annual funding of MARTA by the year 2006.

Lastly, the Georgia General

Assembly should adopt legislation in 2002 that calls for a constitutional

amendment, to be voted on as soon as possible, that calls for the state

of Georgia to provide a described funding assistance for MARTA, derived

from a portion of the state gasoline or cigarette tax. The amendment,

if passed, should be effective by 2006.

Leadership can help us all

out of our transportation gridlock. The counties, cities and state governments

can start today by taking the lead in this important endeavor by agreeing

to keep the transit system we have today moving in a positive direction.

[Patrick Stafford heads

the Fulton Industrial Business Association.]

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