Jan Jones wants state, North Fulton influence on MARTA board

House Republicans, all testy and unhappy with MARTA’s lack of enthusiasm about last week’s much ballyhooed bill that Will Solve Gridlock Forever©, just can’t stop dickering with the transit agency.

Last night, House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones made an amendment to a bill about rural van systems that tinkered with MARTA’s board of directors. Among Jones’ wants: North Fulton, which she’d like to see split from the county, would have two representatives on the transit agency’s board. South Fulton would have just one. In addition, the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker would each select a board member. The Georgia Department of Transportation commissioner and Georgia Regional Transportation Authority executive director would also have a seat at the table, although they couldn’t cast a vote. The state, of course, would still contribute diddly to keep MARTA’s buses and trains operating. (Ariel Hart has the specifics here. Icarus from Peach Pundit thinks a bowtied political observer would be a nice addition to the board.)

The news wasn’t well received by MARTA lobbyists, who could be seen huddled outside the House at around 9 p.m. They conferred with numerous reps, most of whom were pro-transit or represented intown Atlanta.

The House adjourned before the bill was heard. We hear that there were some concerns that it, if passed, it would undo some of the questionable progress made with the transportation funding bill lawmakers approved last week. It’s most likely heading back to Rules Committee, where lawmakers will talk about it in thick Southern drawls.