State Senate Majority Leader Warns of More Budget Cuts; Says Disagreements Remain on Transportation Plan

By Denis O'Hayer

Atlanta, GA – With time running out in this year's State Legislature, lawmakers are still struggling to solve two major problems: the state's budget crisis; and transportation gridlock.

For the third straight year, House and Senate leaders are negotiating a transportation funding bill; which would let voters in different regions decide whether to raise taxes on themselves, to pay for regional transportation projects. But Governor Perdue has warned, if the bill allows individual counties to opt out, he'll veto it. And an opt-out is something many G.O.P. leaders want.

Meanwhile, Friday, the House passed two measures aimed at raising money to close the budget shortfall: a series of increases in state fees; and a tax on revenue hospitals take in from patients. But, the House and Senate have stalled over what to do next. In a conversation with WABE's Denis O'Hayer at the Capitol, Senate Republican leader Chip Rogers warned the fee increases and hospital tax won't be enough to close the budget gap.