First Meeting Scheduled For August 22

The first meeting of a Georgia State Senate committee to study a state takeover of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta will take place August 22, according to media reports.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the idea of a state takeover of the airport is opposed by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Delta Air Lines. but committee chairman State Senator Burt Jones (R) said that there have been ongoing problems with federal investigations and other controversies, come related to ethical issues.

The formation of the committee was announced in June by Georgia Lt. Governor Casey Cagle following its creation by SR 882 sponsored by Senator Jones, will work throughout the year to identify solutions to strengthen Hartsfield-Jackson Airport as an even more dynamic economic engine for the state of Georgia. “Atlanta’s airport has generated over 400,000 jobs and $70 billion in economic impact for our state,” said Lt. Governor Cagle.

“Year after year, Hartsfield-Jackson earns the title of busiest airport in the world and sets new records for productivity and connectivity across the globe. I have full confidence that Senator Jones and the members of this committee will work diligently to give our state’s economy every competitive edge by adding value to this tremendous asset.”

Lt. Governor Cagle has appointed the following senators to the Senate Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Operations and Authority Creation Study Committee: Chairman Burt Jones, Brandon Beach, Gloria Butler, Mike Dugan, Ed Harbison, Tyler Harper, Steve Gooch, John Kennedy, David Lucas, Butch Miller, Jeff Mullis, Valencia Seay, and Freddie Powell-Sims.

“Hartsfield-Jackson is a major asset to our state, and it’s been bringing new businesses and jobs to communities across Georgia for decades. But to maximize this asset's potential, it’s vitally important we continue evaluating the state’s involvement and role in the airport’s operations.” said Chairman Burt Jones. “I commend Lt. Governor Cagle for his strong leadership in guiding our state’s economy to achieve record job growth, and I’m optimistic this committee’s work will only strengthen that momentum going forward.”

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report, ltgov.georgia.gov