GNB Update

Welcome to your Tuesday...Here's the news...

Georgia's largest public transportation system is in danger of collapsing. Peach Pundit reports that the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) could be headed for a steady decline. That's unless lawmakers step up, and provide the needed funding to continue operations. The state Senate could decide MARTA's future with SB 120 by the close of this year's legislative session. It could allow MARTA to use 100 per cent of all sales tax revenue towards operating expenses. But with just two days left in this year's session, the Georgia House hasn't considered the issue, despite SB 120 passing the state Senate by a huge margin.

A follow-up to a report on "GNB Update" from Monday. House Bill 614 has failed. SWGA Politics reports that the proposed bill that would have required drug prescritions to be monitored failed in the state Senate by a vote of 29-25. Had that legislation passed, HB 614 would have allowed the state to monitor any medical decisions patients have made. The only senators who didn't participate in the vote were Steve Thompson (D-Marietta) and Ross Tolleson (R-Perry).

Forbes Magazine released its "Best Places for Business and Careers" last week. Atlanta ranked highest among Georgia's largest metropolitan areas, finishing 24th. Savannah was next at No. 57, followed by Augusta at 110, and Columbus at 147. Among smaller metro areas, Athens ranked highest on that list at No. 23. That's followed by Gainesville (48th), Warner Robins (51st), Valdosta (73rd), Brunswick (78th), Hinesville (98th), Macon (121st), Rome (134th), Dalton (147th), and Albany (161st). Raleigh, North Carolina finished first among big metro areas, while Sioux Falls, South Dakota was tops among the smaller metros.

That's the news. But remember to visit georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com for all things Georgia news 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Have a good Tuesday.