Georgia kills tax break for Delta over NRA squabble

The Georgia state Senate on Thursday approved a sweeping tax bill that did not include an estimated $38 million jet fuel tax break, following through on GOP promises to rebuke Delta Air Lines for cutting ties with the National Rifle Association. Senators voted 44-10 in favor of the tax proposal. The House, which had passed a previous version, quickly followed with a 135-24 vote. Atlanta-based Delta announced last weekend it would no longer offer NRA members discounted flights to the organization’s annual meeting in May. Delta CEO Ed Bastian insisted on Friday, “We are not taking sides” in the national debate over guns, adding, “Our objective in removing any implied affiliation with the NRA was to remove Delta from this debate.” Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, a Republican, bemoaned the tone of the debate but also blamed the airline: “I hope they are better at flying airplanes than timing PR announcements.” Republican Gov. Nathan Deal called the dispute an “unbecoming squabble,” but said he would sign the tax measure in whatever form it passed. He added he plans to pursue the jet fuel tax exemption separately.