Lawmakers take thousands in free Dome tickets | News
ATLANTA -- Disclosure reports filed this week show that the Georgia World Congress Center Authority has generously distributed free football tickets to lawmakers in the last four months.
The GWCC gave out tickets valued at $9630 since August, according to an 11 Alive News analysis of disclosure reports. Reps. Virgil Fludd and Rahn Mayo attended three Falcons games with free tickets from the GWCC, according to the disclosure. Fludd's tickets were valued at $820, Mayo's at $984. Rep. Allen Peake attended the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Classic and the Falcons-Saints game November 29, with tickets valued at $968.
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The GWCC wants the legislature to approve use of the state hotel-motel tax to help build a new stadium. GWCC officials say the practice of distributing free tickets to lawmakers is longstanding and is not tied to the pursuit of a new stadium, which would be partially funded by state hotel-motel tax funds.
The disclosure was filed by Stephanie Carter Kindregan, who is registered with the state to lobby on behalf of the GWCC. Go here to read her report. Click "lobbyist report information," then click "view report" from each month which says "expenditures reported."
Here's what we found since August 2012:
August 31, Chick-fil-a Kickoff Classic tickets
Rep. Jay Neal (D-Jonesboro) - Value: $640
Rep. Allan Peake (R-Macon) - Value: $640
September 17, Falcons - Broncos game tickets
Rep. Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain)- value $164
Rep. Delvis Dutton (R-Glennville)- value $164
Rep. Kevin Cooke (R-Carrollton)- value $164
Rep. Rahn Mayo (D-Decatur)- value $328
Sen. Ross Tolleson (R-Perry) - value $328
Rep. Virgil Fludd (D-Tyrone) - value $164
September 30, Falcons - Panthers game tickets
Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) - value $328
Rep. Pat Gardner (D-Atlanta)- value $328
Rep. Virgil Fludd (D-Tyrone)- value $328
October 14, Falcons - Raiders game tickets
Rep. Brooks Coleman (R-Duluth)- value $164
Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs)- value $164
Sen. Gloria Butler (D-Stone Mountain) - value $164
Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta)- value $164
November 4, Falcons - Cowboys game tickets
Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta)- value $328
November 13, Champions Classic tickets
Rep. Buzz Brockway (R-Lawrenceville)- value $180
November 18, Falcons - Cardinals game tickets
Rep. Rahn Mayo (D-Decatur) - value $328
Sen. Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale)- value $328
November 29, Falcons - Saints game tickets
Rep. Allen Peake (R-Macon) - value $328
Sen. Gloria Butler (D-Stone Mountain)- value $328
Rep. Margaret Kaiser (D-Atlanta)- value $328
Rep. Tommy Benton (R-Jefferson)- value $328
Rep. Virgil Fludd (D-Tyrone)- value $328
December 16, Falcons - Giants game tickets
Rep. Carl Rogers (R-Gainesville)- value $492
Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville)- value $328
Sen. Fran Millar (R-Atlanta)- value $328
Rep. Howard Maxwell (R-Dallas)- value $492
Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) - value $328
December 30, Falcons - Buccaneers tickets
Rep. Coach Williams (D-Avondale Estates)- $328
Rep. Rahn Mayo (D-Decatur)- $328
