Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle talks about regional transit and proposed changes to MARTA, on “Morning Edition” (Broadcast Version)

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle talks about the future of vetoed bills, on “Morning Edition” (Broadcast Version)

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle talks about proposed changes to MARTA, and the future of vetoed bills, on “Morning Edition” (Expanded Version)

Republican Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle is proposing a major overhaul of the board that governs MARTA, in exchange for something MARTA has long wanted: state funding. The proposed change would be a step in developing a larger, regional transit system for the Atlanta area.

In the recent session of the Legislature, lawmakers decided not to pass a major MARTA expansion bill, but they did approve a measure allowing city of Atlanta voters to decide if they wanted to approve a half-penny sales tax to pay for transit projects within the city limits. Lawmakers also set up study committees to explore the idea of regional transit.

Cagle’s proposal is his bid to begin the study committees’ work. He talked about it during an extensive conversation with Denis O’Hayer on “Morning Edition.”

Another part of that conversation dealt with the future of two controversial bills that Republican Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed after they passed the 2016 Legislature. Some state lawmakers have vowed to again pass the two bills. One would allow holders of concealed weapons permits to carry their guns in many places on college campuses. The other would allow denial of service to LGBT people in some circumstances, based on religious belief.

In his conversation with O’Hayer, the lieutenant governor talked about the future prospects for both bills.