State DOT Board seeks Highest Bidders

There are very few editorials posted by the AJC that I can agree with. Editorial staffer Lyle Harris, however, has hit on an area in state government where graft, corruption and waste is open to bidders. The state DOT board continually hawks tax subsidies like commuter rail, and Lord knows Henry's representation stinks.

Under state law, DOT board members and other officials aren't required to disclose gifts, meals or other items of value they receive from lobbyists. Although lobbyists are required to make those disclosures, there's no limit on how much they can spend on public officials, a gaping loophole that legislative leaders have been shamefully reluctant to close.

These people are appointed to serve the taxpaying public. They are not elected and they have no accountability to plan wisely or spend our money frugally. The simple truth is they are very happy to accept royal treatment offered by lobbyists and developers and anyone else with a checkbook.

A frequent sponsor for this overweening largess is Georgians For Better Transportation, a misleadingly named front organization for road-builders and contractors. GBT has hosted several events for the board's amusement, including a $10,000-per-table function in January at the Fox Theatre that featured singer Travis Tritt. In case board members got weepy during one of Tritt's ballads, GBT made sure representatives from road-building firms were seated at their tables to hold their hands.

Some examples have included an all-expense-paid weekend at Sea Island. And lets face facts, these lobbyists do not spend $$thousands$$ upon thousands of dollars out of sheer kindness. They want something and are very willing to provide pay-offs to get it.

Another AJC story by Ariel Hart told about lavish treatment for members of the state DOT board at Callaway Gardens.

The table settings at the Callaway Gardens banquet gleamed against black tablecloths. A high school girls' choir kicked off the evening with a serenade. As diners took the black and white cloth napkins from their wine glasses, they were offered a choice of red or white, followed by an elegant dinner ending in a choice of desserts including a chocolate pyramid filled with white creme anglaise.

Praise for the event flowed from its honored guests, leaders of the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Before it was over, the hosts addressed the room. "We just hope you'll bring us a little money so we can do something!" said Danny Bridges, a Harris County commissioner, to laughter from the audience.

While this sanctioned bribery is wrong, it's not illegal. State law should be changed to hold them accountable. Can we petition our legislators to make additions to the Sonny Do List!?!?