Here are a few predictions for the new year, in the spirit of late New York Times columnist William Safire.
On the road again: The Legislature will approve a state gas tax increase – perhaps as much as 2 cents – to fund transportation infrastructure improvements.The program will include state funding for MARTA, which during 2015 will complete plans for a rail extension to Alpharetta.
Back to school: Gov. Nathan Deal will significantly increase education funding, closing the Quality Basic Education formula’s annual gap to $500 million. Common Core standards will remain in place.
Medicaid expansion: Deal will join fellow Republican governors Robert Bentley of Alabama and Bill Haslam of Tennessee in proposing an alternative program to extend medical insurance coverage to low-income residents.
In Alabama, Bentley recently said his administration is considering using a Medicaid block grant to bring private insurance coverage to those at or slightly above the poverty line, according to the Associated Press.
Tennessee’s Haslam recently proposed using federal Medicaid funds to cover about 200,000 low-income residents through their employers’ health insurance plan or the state’s Medicaid program, according to the New York Times. Haslam’s two-year pilot program would not follow traditional Medicaid rules.
Deal will propose something akin to either Bentley’s or Haslam’s programs to increase insurance for the state’s poorer residents while affirming opposition to the Affordable Care Act.
Let It Snow, Let It Snow: Another winter storm will hit Atlanta, but the city will be prepared. With new procedures from the governor’s Winter Weather Task Force, Atlanta will keep on trucking.
Fixing Up Atlanta: Voters will approve a $250 million bond issue for city infrastructure improvements. Mayor Kasim Reed and the city council will OK Georgia State’s $300 million plan for the Turner Field site, and reach a deal to redevelop the Civic Center.
Falcons rise up: The Atlanta Falcons will make the NFL playoffs by beating the Panthers Sunday, taking the NFC South championship despite a losing record. The Falcons will shock the sports world with two playoffs victories before losing in the NFC championship game. Team owner Arthur Blank will give coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff another year.
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