Transportation bills introduced under the Gold Dome ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - Today, State House and Senate Democrats introduced major transportation bills.

Under the plan, Georgians would vote on a penny sales tax for transportation improvements.

Plus, one of the pennies collected from Georgia's gas tax would be dedicated to transportation projects like transit.

WABE's Charles Edwards reports.

The penny sales tax idea has been kicked around for years. The House and Senate have passed their own versions before but couldn't iron out details. For that, Senate Democrat Doug Stoner doesn't blame all Republicans just Governor Perdue.

STONER: "The point being made is that the administration are the folks that are missing on this issue. The lack of leadership."

Lawmakers and Perdue both support a regional sales tax in principal. But the Governor's spokesman, Bert Brantley, says dedicating gas tax money takes more than 130 million dollars a year away from the state budget.

BRANTLEY: "That means about 3 thousand teacher salaries. It means kids on PeachCare. It means people on Medicaid on health insurance. Pulling that 4th penny away from the general budget just means there are going to have to be cuts somewhere."

Democrats argue the transportation projects would bring in matching federal dollars. They also say it would stimulate the economy which would bring more than enough state tax revenue.

Charles Edwards, WABE News. © Copyright 2012, WABE