Georgia Lawmakers Stall Delta Tax Bill After Airline's NRA Snub

ATLANTA, GA — A bill that would grant millions of dollars in tax breaks to Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines has gotten tangled up in the thorny issue of gun control in Georgia's legislature.

It's a rare snag in the usually rosy relationship between one of the state's largest employers and a Republican-run statehouse where lawmakers from Gov. Nathan Deal on down pride themselves on creating a business-friendly environment. But after Delta joined a list of other companies this weekend in ending a discount for members of the National Rifle Association, GOP lawmakers — most notably some in the midst of electioneering to succeed Deal as governor — put the brakes on a bill that had been working its way easily through the legislature.

Last week, Deal announced a tax plan that, among other cuts, would eliminate Georgia's sales tax on jet fuel. Supporters say the move would encourage airlines to fly more direct flights to the state, but Delta would almost certainly be the biggest beneficiary of the $50 million tax cut.

Then, on Saturday, with news of the deadly Florida school shooting and subsequent efforts to curb gun violence dominating the headlines, Delta joined a growing list of companies that announced they were ending discount deals and other partnerships with the National Rifle Association.

Critics of the gun-rights group say its intense and influential lobbying efforts, particularly with Republican lawmakers, have hurt the chances of common-sense firearm regulations that could curb school shootings like the one in Parkland, Fla., and elsewhere.

"Delta is reaching out to the NRA to let them know we will be ending their contract for discounted rates through our group travel program," Delta said Saturday. "We will be requesting that the NRA remove our information from their website."

At the Georgia capitol, where Republicans hold overwhelming majorities in both the House and Senate, the response was swift. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, who presides over the Senate and is running to replace Deal in this year's election, immediately tied Delta's NRA decision to the tax bill.

"I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA," Cagle said on Twitter. "Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back."

House Speaker David Ralston similarly condemned Delta's decision and tied it to the tax bill.

"I am disappointed that certain corporations have chosen to engage in a sensitive debate by vilifying law-abiding supporters of Second Amendment rights," Ralston said in a statement. "Likewise, I am troubled that this information was not made public until after the House of Representatives passed our comprehensive tax reform package, H.B. 918.

"As we know, H.B. 918 sits in the Senate. The Senate may amend that bill as it moves through their chamber. I trust they, along with the lieutenant governor, will carefully consider the appropriate course of action."

Critics, including Georgia Democrats, accused Republican leaders of grandstanding and hypocrisy — noting that punishing a private company for how it runs its business is the sort of anti-business maneuver they normally criticize.

"If you needed any further proof that Republican leaders are in the pocket of the gun lobby, here it is," said Priyanka Mantha, spokeswoman for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. "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. Real leadership is working to make sure no child has to suffer through a tragedy like Parkland again — not propping up the gun lobby at the cost of working families of Georgia."

Deal, who is prevented by term limits from seeking another term after his current one ends this year, did not immediately weigh in publicy. But his official Twitter account retweeted a post critical of Delta by Chris O'Brien, his chief of staff.

"@GovernorDeal and I are assuming this decision was made by @Delta to end their contract with all political groups in order to remain neutral and the @nra was the first to be made public!" O'Brien wrote. "Otherwise members may not trust our word moving forward!!"

A spokesperson for Deal and one for Delta Air Lines did not immediately reply to messages seeking comment for this story Tuesday afternoon.

A Delta statement circulating at the capitol building in Atlanta (reported on by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution) says that ending a discount program for NRA members "reflects the airline's neutral status in the current national debate over gun control amid recent school shootings."

"Out of respect for our customers and employees on both sides, Delta has taken this action to refrain from entering this debate and focus on its business. Delta continues to support the 2nd Amendment."

The statement also notes for the Republican-dominated legislature that, last year, it pulled its support for a New York City theater company's production of "Julius Caesar" after supporters of President Donald Trump complained about its depiction of a Trump-like presidential Caesar being assassinated.

Wednesday will be the 28th day of the Georgia General Assembly's 40-day annual session. The now-controversial tax bill has been approved by a Senate committee and is now up for debate by the whole Senate, though no date has been set for its consideration.

Photos courtesy Delta Air Lines, Gov. Nathan Deal's office.