We at Citizens for Progressive Transit are proud to provide the results of our 2008 candidate survey. This survey - a joint project with our friends at the Georgia Association of Railroad Passengers - asked candidates their positions on key transportation issues.

Many thanks to Jim Dexter for surveying the candidates and compiling their responses. Thanks also to the candidates for participating. We hope you will find the information useful as you decide for whom you will vote.

Please click on "continued" below to see the candidates' responses.

U.S. House of Representatives

1. Should federal funding for transit be higher, lower, or should it stay about the same?

Second District: Sanford Bishop: HIGHER
Ninth District: Jeff Scott: HIGHER
Eleventh District: Hugh "Bud" Gammon: HIGHER

2. Should federal funding for Amtrak be higher, lower, or should it stay about the same?

Second District: Sanford Bishop: HIGHER
Ninth District: Jeff Scott: ABOUT THE SAME
Eleventh District: Hugh "Bud" Gammon: HIGHER

3. Do you favor federal funding to construct high-speed passenger rail lines linking Georgia with major cities in other southeastern states such as North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida?

Second District: Sanford Bishop: YES
Ninth District: Jeff Scott: YES
Eleventh District: Hugh "Bud" Gammon: YES

4. Will you participate in efforts to secure grants for commuter rail and other Georgia transit projects?

Second District: Sanford Bishop: YES
Ninth District: Jeff Scott: YES
Eleventh District: Hugh "Bud" Gammon: YES

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Candidate Hugh "Bud" Gammon writes: "I want each and every member to know I support your efforts for rail transportation. It is vital to the future of our county and ending our dependence on foreign oil. As an international airline pilot I spend a lot of time in Europe. I have traveled quite a bit around Europe on high-speed trains."

Georgia State Senate

1. Will you support state funding for commuter rail service linking Atlanta with outlying cities such as Griffin and Athens?

District 17: John Douglas: UNDECIDED
District 31: Tracy Bennett: YES
District 42: David Adelman: YES
District 46: Sherry L. Jackson: YES
District 47: Tim Riley: YES

2. Do you support state funding for statewide rail passenger service linking Atlanta to other Georgia cities such Savannah or Columbus?

District 17: John Douglas: NO
District 31: Tracy Bennett: YES
District 42: David Adelman: YES
District 46: Sherry L. Jackson: YES
District 47: Tim Riley: YES

3. Do you support state funding to help operate interstate passenger trains linking Georgia to nearby states such as North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama or Florida.

District 17: John Douglas: NO
District 31: Tracy Bennett: YES
District 42: David Adelman: YES
District 46: Sherry L. Jackson: YES
District 47: Tim Riley: YES

4. Do you support legislation that would let Atlanta-area counties levy a special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) to fund transportation, including transit?

District 17: John Douglas: YES
District 31: Tracy Bennett: UNDECIDED
District 42: David Adelman: YES
District 46: Sherry L. Jackson: YES
District 47: Tim Riley: YES

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
District 31: Tracy Bennett:
In response to question #1, candidate added, "and/or other cities as well." Candidate also wrote: "I believe that commuter rail is our future. I would support an effort to make our rail system state of the art with the most advanced technology. When elected, transportation is going to be a priority."
District 46: Sherry L. Jackson:
"My opponent voted against allowing area/'regional counties vote on SPLOST to fund transit. This will be a priority for me if elected."
District 47: Tim Riley:
"We MUST have this rail system in place SOON."

Georgia House of Representatives

1. Will you support state funding for commuter rail service linking Atlanta with outlying cities such as Griffin and Athens?

District 35: Ed Setzler: YES
District 81: Chris Huttman: YES
District 85: Stephanie Stuckey Benfield: YES
District 103: Allan Burns: YES
District 104: John Heard: YES
District 106: Tony Lentini: YES
District 106: Melvin Everson: YES
District 126: Bill Mauldin: YES
District 140: James A (Bubber) Epps: YES

2. Do you support state funding for statewide rail passenger service linking Atlanta to other Georgia cities such Savannah or Columbus?

District 35: Ed Setzler: YES
District 81: Chris Huttman: YES
District 85: Stephanie Stuckey Benfield: YES
District 103: Allan Burns: UNDECIDED
District 104: John Heard: YES
District 106: Tony Lentini: YES
District 106: Melvin Everson: YES
District 126: Bill Mauldin: YES
District 140: James A (Bubber) Epps: YES

3. Do you support state funding to help operate interstate passenger trains linking Georgia to nearby states such as North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama or Florida.

District 35: Ed Setzler: YES
District 81: Chris Huttman: YES
District 85: Stephanie Stuckey Benfield: YES
District 103: Allan Burns: UNDECIDED
District 104: John Heard: YES
District 106: Tony Lentini: YES
District 106: Melvin Everson: YES
District 126: Bill Mauldin: YES
District 140: James A (Bubber) Epps: YES


4. Do you support legislation that would let Atlanta-area counties levy a special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) to fund transportation, including transit?

District 35: Ed Setzler: YES
District 81: Chris Huttman: YES
District 85: Stephanie Stuckey Benfield: YES
District 103: Allan Burns: YES
District 104: John Heard: YES
District 106: Tony Lentini: YES
District 106: Melvin Everson: YES
District 126: Bill Mauldin: YES
District 140: James A (Bubber) Epps: YES

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
District 35: Ed Setzler:
In response to question #1, candidate ads, "I am leading the effort with the Cobb Chamber and Sen. Doug Stoner to make commuter rail a reality from Atlanta to Cartersville." In response to question #3, candidate writes: "For state funding for interstate rail, I want Georgia to have reasonable control of any state money we put in ... i.e., I do not want scarce tax dollars to get dropped into an Amtrak black hole that we have little or no control of." In response to question #4, candidate writes: "I supported the regional transportation funding structure in 2008, but with a county opt-out provision that is reasonable; as I authored and was adopted by the House on April 4, 2008. I assume there will be a reasonable plan again this year.
District 81: Chris Huttman:
In response to question #4, candidate writes: "I'd prefer a statewide plan that doesn't rely on individual counties opting in or out. I also thought the failed proposal from 2008's session was flawed in that it bought off rural votes with additional road building pork for parts of the state that do not need it and are not facing serious congestion problems. In addition to this, I propose that we dedicate the 4th penny of the state sales tax on gasoline to a fund devoted to mass transportation alternatives. Currently this money goes into the general fund."
District 85: Stephanie Stuckey Benfield:
"I have a voting record that backs up my support for all these issues. Thanks for your advocacy of rail transit."
District 103: Allan Burns:
" I don't have enough information at this time on questions 2&3. However, I support rail/mass transit and believe we must invest more in alternative transportation modes that reduce automobile trips." Candidate also attached copy of remarks to a candidates' forum, where he spoke in support of Atlanta-Athens commuter rail.
District 104: John Heard:
"SPLOST should be a regional SPLOST."
District 126: Bill Mauldin:
"Would like to see the implementation of high-speed rail lines to all major destinations in Georgia. This would ease congestion on roads and in the air, and be a large economic stimulus to our state for business and residential growth."
District 140: James A (Bubber) Epps:
"I feel rail passenger service is an immediate method to help us meet increasing energy demands and helping us relieve the overcrowded situation on our roads and highways network system. I hope this position grows in our legislature."