The Spring Conference Reception is a great chance to network with professionals in the numerous fields of planning or mingle with friends and colleagues. On Thursday evening, March 26th, the Georgia Planning Association (GPA), will take you to an animated Polynesian Luau that promises excitement, spirit and a pig roast event. Please bring your business cards and get to know your fellow planners. You never know who you may meet.

The Georgia Planning Association (GPA) is taking steps this year to reduce costs and reduce waste. Each year, members receive four hard copy quarterly newsletters filled with valuable information on planning activities and trends in the State, events, AICP information and advertisements from GPA's annual sponsors. Starting this year, members will continue to receive four copies, but with March and September issues distributed as hard copy newsletters and the July and December issues distributed in electronic format. GPA believes that this effort will keep the Association in line with state of the practice efforts to be sustainable and will not reduce contact with members. We hope you enjoy these new changes. Please feel free to contact Laura Keyes, GPA Chapter Services, if you have any questions or comments.

To ensure you receive you quarterly e-newsletters, please make sure your email address is updated with the American Planning Association (APA). All contact information is maintained on the APA website. Be sure to have your member number handy (it’s on the mailing label of Planning magazine).

Senate Bill 39, Regional Local Option Transportation Tax –
Senate Bill 39 is enabling legislation creating transportation districts to implement Regional Local Option Transportation Taxes (RLOTT). Each district would be able to levy a RLOTT sales tax up to 1 percent to fund transportation projects or purposes within the district. The SB 39 passed the State Senate and moved to the House. The House amended the legislation to include language dealing with MARTA and the flexibility of spending. The legislation would allow for the creation of three types of districts:

1. One district would be based on the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) boundaries, managed by the elected members of the ARC Board;
2. Other special transportation districts would be created by agreement of two or more contiguous counties; or
3. A single county transportation district.

The legislation details specific information regarding the districts and the specific use of funds collected. The Act would become effective on January 1, 2011 if the accompanying Constitutional Amendment is ratified by the voters in November 2010. SB 39 passed the Senate and the House with major differences between the two versions. The bill will likely proceed to a Conference Committee.

Senate Bill 200, Transforming Transportation Investment Act –
Senate Bill 200 is a proposal to make significant changes to the current process for motor fuel tax expenditures. The legislation would create the State Transportation Authority that combines the powers of the existing State Road and Tollway Authority and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority. The bill would allow the State Transportation Authority (STA) to serve as the single state entity charged with transportation oversight. The STA would perform Georgia's transportation planning and submit budget requests to the Governor for appropriations by the General Assembly. The bill would also reorganize the existing Georgia Department of Transportation and require all GDOT actions to receive STA approval to ensure compliance with STA transportation plans. The Senate passed SB 200 and the legislation moved to the House as House Bill 605.

Important websites to find more details and to track the latest legislation:
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/sb39.htm
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/search/sb200.htm
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/search/hb605.htm
http://www.legtracking.gmanet.com/

Who We Are
Transportation for America is a growing and diverse coalition focused on creating a national transportation program that will take America into the 21st century by building a modernized infrastructure and healthy communities where people can live, work and play.

Why We Need Your Support
With high gas prices, rising concern about oil dependency, and wasted economic opportunity due to inadequate railways, roads and highways, and other infrastructure, we have a unique opportunity to pass transportation reform in 2009 that will help move America forward.

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March 26 - 27 :: GPA Spring Conference
April 7 - 8 :: Planning Commissioner Training
April 16 - 28 :: Training for Planning Officials
April 16 - 28 :: Smart Code Workshop
April 18 - 22 :: 2009 Green Cities Conference and Expo
April 25 - 29 :: APA National Planning Conference
April 25 - 29 :: ACCG Annual Conference
April 27 - 29 :: Georgia Water Resources
May 6 - 8 :: GEDA Spring Workshop
May 14 - 15 :: ArcGIS Desktop I