ATLANTA — In light of the recent concerns over transportation needs and funding, a Butts County state senator believes the bulk of the responsibility lies with metro Atlanta.  For that reason, he believes the state should find a “metro solution”.  For that, he turns to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Senator Burt Jones, Republican from Jackson, is lobbying colleagues to study a state takeover of the airport, in a published report in the Macon Telegraph.

“A lot of the transportation issues … the problems we have talked about in this state, are metro Atlanta issues, and I feel like we need to talk about metro Atlanta solutions,” Jones told the Telegraph in an interview.  He has already included the support of 20 other senators to Senate Resolution 451, which would create a study committee on airport takeover options and tax review.

Georgia is estimating over $1 billion a year is needed to maintain the cost of transportation infrastructure in the state.

The Atlanta airport is the world’s busiest airport.

Jones believes an authority, such as the World Congress Authority (which oversees convention operations at the center, Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park) or Georgia Ports Authority (which oversees both the Savannah and Brunswick ports), needs to be created by the state to manage such a significant asset.

Further, Jones is planning to review all Georgia tax breaks to learn which ones are of value to the state and which could sunset, or be allowed to expire. He notes in the interview that the film industry tax credit has greatly benefited the state economy.  However, the believes the $5,000 tax credit on electric vehicles a waste of resources.

Anything presented now is most likely going to be moved to January of 2016 due to the present calendar expiring.