Just days ago Gov. Deal lauded it as a boon for Georgia’s economy. Now, state GOP lawmakers want to withdraw a lucrative tax cut to punish Delta Air Lines for withdrawing its support from the NRA.
Delta ended its discount program with the National Rifle Association this weekend. The Atlanta-based airline cut ties with the gun lobbying group in the wake of the school shooting in Florida that left 17 peopled dead.
Republican Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle presides over the Senate and is running for governor. He tweeted that he will sink a proposed sales tax exemption on jet fuel unless Delta changes course.
“I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA,” Cagle tweeted. “Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.”
I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA. Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.
— Casey Cagle (@CaseyCagle) February 26, 2018
Police say 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz admitted he gunned down students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine’s Day. He used an AR-15 assault-style rifle to carry out the deadly rampage.
Businesses abandon the NRA
More than a dozen companies have ended NRA partnerships since the school shooting, according to the Associated Press. Among them, Metlife, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Best Western, Wyndham and United Airlines.
Delta and United say they will no longer offer discounted fares to NRA members to attend their annual meetings. Both airlines asked the NRA to remove references to their companies from its website.
The proposed $50 million jet fuel tax exemption is part of Deal’s larger state tax overhaul. It passed the House and is now being considered by the Senate.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Sen. Michael Williams opposed the jet fuel tax cut before the NRA controversy erupted. He says a majority of Republicans now oppose it.
“When Delta came out and pretty much dumped on all the NRA members, it invigorated a lot of our base,” Williams says. “We’re going to fight.”
Democrats: Threat proves Republicans in gun lobby’s pocket
Republicans have spent much of this legislative session arguing the jet fuel tax cut merits. They said it was good for business and the state’s economy.
On the day the proposed tax bill was unveiled, the governor’s office issued a press release. It said eliminating the jet fuel tax would “help our state be more competitive” because it would “encourage airlines to fly additional direct flights from Georgia to destinations around the globe.” Democrats say the GOP’s threat to kill that incentive proves Republican leaders are in the gun lobby’s pocket.
“Republican fear of the NRA is evidently more important than the Georgia business climate, jobs, or the well-being of Georgia citizens,” says Democratic Sen. Steve Hanson.
Democratic candidate for governor Stacey Abrams supports Delta’s decision.
“I applaud @Delta’s decision to listen to feedback from its customers and reject #NRA extremism that has prevented commonsense reform for too long.” Abrams tweeted. “Our obligation is clear: reduce the risk of gun homicide and suicide in Georgia.”
I applaud @Delta’s decision to listen to feedback from its customers and reject #NRA extremism that has prevented commonsense reform for too long. Our obligation is clear: reduce the risk of gun homicide and suicide in Georgia. #NeverAgain #gapol 1/
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) February 26, 2018
Abrams’ Communications Director Priyanka Mantha says, “Casey Cagle would sacrifice thousands of jobs, endanger our state’s economy, and stick a finger in the eye of a huge employer in our state just to satisfy his buddies at the NRA.”
Delta’s statement says the airline “continues to support the Second Amendment.” Its decision not to offer NRA discounts “reflects the airline’s neutral status” in the national gun debate.
