Delta loses $40M State Tax subsidy in wake of NRA stance

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Update: A few days ago this was questionable, but it’s confirmed: The tax break has been voted down

This story has been drawing a lot of media coverage, and many thought that it was a bluff by the Georgian State Senate; however, we’ve just learned that they struck down the $40m jet fuel tax break. As a response, multiple state officials openly invited Delta to move their headquarters to their state, including: Cuomo from NY, and Northam from Virginia. What do you think…will Delta move their headquarters? According to Wikipedia, Delta accounted for over 75% of all traffic through ATL, which was the world’s busiest airport last year. One has to wonder, if Delta were to move their headquarters elsewhere…would it jeopardize their monopoly of the ATL airport? Regardless…this is quite the story.

 

 

h/t The Gate

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Delta vs. NRA – Round 2.

Over the weekend, Delta was one of many corporations who had been called out for giving NRA discounts by MotherJones. They launched a #boycottNRA campaign via Twitter that resulted in Delta eliminating discount for the NRA and their members. Other companies followed suit, but the fight continues. It seems that Delta, who has argued that the ME3 ( Qatar, Etihad, Emirates) are unfairly subsidized and violate Open Skies agreements, are set to receive their own whopping subsidy from the Georgian taxpayers…to the tune of $40 Million a year. The subsidy is a jet fuel tax break. Pot meet Kettle. It’ll be interesting to see how this evolves, but right now…Delta’s tax subsidy is in jeopardy.

It seems as tho the tax subsidies were brought to the attention of an Atlanta based talk radio host, Deborah Dooley, who then informed her listeners to complain to their representatives. This resulted in the State Senate getting a flood of calls…Per the AJC

The Georgia Senate blocked a lucrative tax break bill on Monday that would benefit Delta Air Lines after the Atlanta-based company severed ties with the National Rifle Association.

 

The current LT. Governor tweeted this response out…

Delta did release a statement saying they support the 2nd amendment and that their move to eliminate discounts was simply their way of playing it neutral.

Delta’s decision reflects the airline’s neutral status in the current national debate over gun control amid recent school shootings,” the company said in a statement. “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.

What do you think?