ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers approved a bill on Thursday that stripped out a tax break proposal highly coveted by Delta Air Lines — the most stinging punishment that America’s pro-gun forces have leveled so far on one of the many corporations recalibrating their positions on firearms after the Florida high school massacre.
The $50 million sales tax exemption on jet fuel that was sought by Delta, one of Georgia’s biggest employers, had been included in a broader tax-relief bill. But this week, a number of Georgia Republicans, including Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, sought to remove the perk as retribution for Delta’s decision to end a promotional discount for members of the National Rifle Association.
Guess how many people took advantage of the NRA discount with Delta?
13
So for failure to continue a marketing plan that had netted Delta 13 customers, the Georgia legislature is in essence, fining Delta airline tens of millions of dollars. When did the State of Georgia become the arbiter of marketing campaign discounts?
It gets even more bizarre: A Georgia Senator justifying the legislation made the claim that Delta offered discounts to Planned Parenthood members. When asked about the source of information on CNN, the Senator said he looked it up on Google.
Delta does not offer a discount to Planned Parenthood.
And the State Senator who made this statement (Michael Williams) is running for Governor.
Good times ahead, Kevin.