ATLANTA (AP) - If you want to judge public priorities, look at where public money is spent.
The current debate over how much money Georgia should contribute toward a new stadium for the Atlanta Falcons will demonstrate where leaders set their benchmarks.
State officials have proposed leveraging the proceeds of a special hotel tax to generate as much $300 million in bonds. That borrowing would serve as the public contribution toward a $1 billion retractable-roof stadium in downtown Atlanta.
Democratic Sen. Vincent Fort of Atlanta says no one at the Statehouse is debating whether that's the best use of the money. Lawmakers could change rules allowing those funds to be spent on something else.
Proponents of building a stadium say the project will keep jobs, visitors and spending in downtown Atlanta.
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The Atlanta Falcons, state and city officials have agreed on a deal to ensure that at least 31 percent of construction awards for the team's new stadium are awarded to minority or women-owned firms.
The Atlanta Falcons, state and city officials have agreed on a deal to ensure that at least 31 percent of construction awards for the team's new stadium are awarded to minority or women-owned firms.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:42 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:42:12 GMT
The NAACP is holding an information session about its planned gun buy-back program at 6 p.m. at a northwest Atlanta church as part of ongoing efforts to cut back on gun-related violence in the community.
The NAACP is holding an information session about its planned gun buy-back program at 6 p.m. at a northwest Atlanta church as part of ongoing efforts to cut back on gun-related violence in the community.
