Ahead of the January 1st deadline, the Senate Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Operations and Authority Creation Study Committee came together to give its final recommendations on the proposition of whether a the world’s busiest airport would be better served under a state-run authority.
Through four meetings the 13-senator committee, consisting of eight Republicans and five Democrats, heard arguments from those both in favor and opposition of new management, as well as experts in the financial and logistical processes of what a transfer of power might look like. Statewide the issue was framed as a partisan one, with Republicans looking to take control of an airport long plagued by scandal, while Democrats preferred to leave control in the hands of a left-leaning Atlanta City Hall.
That line of thinking flew out the window Thursday as the committee voted unanimously in favor of moving forward with legislation to propose a state takeover, with all three Democrats in attendance, (Sen. Gloria Butler, D-Stone Mountain was absent) joining with their Republican peers in a somewhat surprising show of solidarity.
Their recommendation, summarized: “Establish a new authority with a management structure to oversee and hold accountable the business enterprise and operations of the Hartsfield-Atlanta International Airport. Members of this authority would include individuals with varying backgrounds, expertise and experiences. The current structure overseeing the Georgia World Congress Center and Georgia Ports Authority would be used as models for the new entity.”
Said committee chairman Sen. Burt Jones (R-Jackson) on the unanimous recommendation, “I want to thank all of the committee members, presenters and everyone involved in this process. I am proud of the hard work that has been done so far with reviewing the current business model and possibilities of a new management structure for the airport. The committee’s unanimous and bipartisan support of the committee report, which will serve as the groundwork for the next steps in this process, is truly appreciated. As we continue to look into this issue, I hope that the lines of communication remain open between the legislature and all stakeholders.”
More information on the committee, its hearings, and its final recommendation can be found HERE
