Bill Text: GA SR29 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Georgia Senate Resolution 29 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Transportation System; urging the efficient delivery and maintenance

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 6-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2011-02-22 - Senate Passed/Adopted [SR29 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-SR29-Enrolled.html

11 LC 34 2790

Senate Resolution 29

By: Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Rogers of the 21st, Williams of the 19th, Murphy of the 27th, Shafer of the 48th and others

ADOPTED SENATE

A RESOLUTION

Urging the efficient delivery and maintenance of Georgia's transportation system; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, an adequate and well-maintained transportation system in Georgia is essential for the well-being and prosperity of its citizens and for the state's economic competitiveness; and

WHEREAS, the development and maintenance of Georgia's transportation system must be efficiently managed for the long-term benefit of the state during both the expansion and contraction of economic cycles; and

WHEREAS, 1,330 of the 5,000 employees at the Georgia Department of Transportation will be eligible to retire in the next five years, and 330 employees will be eligible to retire by the end of FY 2011; and

WHEREAS, the funding for the Georgia Department of Transportation is declining from both federal and state sources largely due to declining revenues from virtually every traditional source; and

WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Transportation is changing to better address long-term strategic issues facing the State of Georgia, such as planning and programming project investments, innovative ways to deliver projects, project management emphasis on meeting schedule and budget expectations, and increased involvement in multimodal transportation systems.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the Georgia Department of Transportation is urged to view itself as a planning, management, contracting enterprise that can more easily adjust to variations in funding and workload by contracting out to the private sector to the maximum degree practicable.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that GDOT's employment and training practices should emphasize skills that are strategically important, such as project management to deliver projects on schedule and in budget, innovation in project designs and delivery, planning and programming that best meets the long-term needs of the state, and building confidence in, and admiration of, GDOT through its vision and effective focus on enhanced mobility for all Georgia citizens.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that GDOT conduct a careful assessment of its current staff and its long-term needs, so that as expected retirements occur, there is a clear plan that will guide decisions regarding adjustments in staff numbers and skills.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that GDOT set a goal of a 25 percent reduction in employees to 3,750 employees by June 30, 2015, which would be achieved as current employees retire and others are assigned to essential and strategically important activities, such as management, planning, contracting, quality control, financial accountability, and multimodal strategies. To the maximum degree practicable, activities and tasks should be contracted out, where they are readily available from commercial, private sector sources.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation.