(Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Governor laments decision

Some board members said they wanted her gone because new road projects had been choked. Others spoke of concern over the criticism that the department was ineffective. There were also budget issues and discontent over conflicting priorities within the department.

“Obviously there’s been some criticism that apparently our leadership has been inadequate,” said board member Steve Farrow, who was previously a supporter of Evans but voted for the termination. “And when there’s criticism that your leadership’s been inadequate, I think you need to make a change in the leadership.”

Click here to read the entire article on this controversy in Georgia.

(Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

At Thursday’s state Transportation Board meeting, everyone at the Department of Transportation offices in Midtown knew the biggest issue was not on the agenda: They were facing the greatest threat to their power in almost a half century.

Four hours later at his Capitol office, Gov. Sonny Perdue held a news conference. The governor announced legislation to upend Georgia’s transportation administration. The key provision of the bill — which would become the Transforming Transportation Investment Act if it is passed — is a new authority with an 11-member board appointed by the governor, the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the House. It would take the power to choose road projects from the 13-member Transportation Board chosen by the General Assembly.

“This places transportation completely in the political arena rather than in the hands of an independently elected board,” said David Doss, a board member and former board chairman.

Click here to read the entire article.

Source: TiftonGazette.com

Over the last six years, Georgia has invested heavily in transportation improvements, yet commuters are still stuck in traffic and economic development corridors still have not been expanded. As frustrating as it is to acknowledge, we have not achieved the value that we believe Georgians deserve because of a lack of focus, transparency and accountability at the Department of Transportation.

We share a commitment to do better.  As the three people most accountable to Georgians, we announced a proposal this week that would completely transform the way we think about delivering transportation solutions in our state and dramatically improve the way transportation projects are planned, constructed and maintained.

The basic premise of this proposal is simple – transportation policy decisions should be made in a strategic manner by people who are representing the best interests of the entire state.  And the decisions these people make should be executed in a manner that provides for transparency and accountability to the legislature and the people of Georgia.