Georgia House Speaker David Ralston of Blue Ridge has named the members of the House Commission on Transit Governance & Funding, created during the last legislative session.
The commission, which was created by House Resolution 848, will study Georgia’s transit needs and analyze ways for the state to adequately plan and provide for those needs. The 21-member panel will be chaired by State Representative Kevin Tanner of Dawsonville.
“Transit is becoming more and more important to Georgia’s future,” said Ralston in a press release. “From congestion relief to economic development, a robust transit network across our state will have long-term benefits for our citizens. Situations like the recent I-85 rebuild have clearly demonstrated the importance of transit to our state and its economy.”
The members of the Commission are divided into four groups: Six members of the House of Representatives, four representatives of transit systems or counties which provide mass transit, four residents of the state of Georgia and ex-officio appointees.
The six House members appointed by the Speaker are:
- Kevin Tanner (R-Dawsonville) – Chairman
- Christian Coomer (R-Cartersville)
- Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur)
- Jason Shaw (R-Lakeland)
- Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus)
- Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody)
The four representatives of transit systems or counties which provide mass transit appointed by the Speaker are:
- Liz Hausmann – District 1 Commissioner, Fulton County Board of Commissioners
- Curtis Kolber – CEO & Executive Director, Chatham Area Transit
- Butch McDuffie – Director, Athens Transit System
- Charlotte Nash – Chairman, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
The four residents of the State of Georgia appointed by the Speaker are:
- Brian Anderson, Sr. – President & CEO, Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce
- Rhonda Briggins – President, Georgia Transit Association
- Butch Miller – State Senator (R-Gainesville)
- Bob Ott – District 2 Commissioner, Cobb County Board of Commissioners
The ex-officio members of the Commission as provided by HR 848 are:
- Russell McMurry – Commissioner, Georgia Department of Transportation
- Keith Parker – CEO, MARTA
- Chris Tomlinson – Executive Director, GRTA
The directors of all metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are also ex-officio appointees to the Commission. HR 848 provides that none of the MPO directors will have voting rights as members of the Commission.
