Georgia Republicans Vow to Kill Airline Tax-Cut Bill After Delta Ends N.R.A. Discount<br />The airline, which had come under growing pressure from its customers<br />and others to cut ties with the gun group, said its decision “reflects the airline’s neutral status in the current national debate over gun control amid recent school shootings.”<br />Delta said in a statement on Saturday that it supported the Second Amendment but has refrained from political issues before.<br />The lieutenant governor in Georgia threatened on Monday to kill a proposed lucrative tax cut for Delta Air Lines<br />after the company eliminated a discount fare program for the National Rifle Association over the weekend.<br />Casey Cagle, who presides over the State Senate, immediately put the legislation in jeopardy<br />and put him at loggerheads with other top state officials, including the governor, who had championed the tax deal.<br />Other Republicans in the State Legislature also on Monday pulled back their support for the bill,<br />which would grant a $50 million sales tax exemption on jet fuel, primarily benefiting Delta.<br />Among the new critics was the House speaker, David Ralston, who said on Monday<br />that he was disappointed with Delta and wished it had announced the decision before the House approved the tax bill on Thursday.<br />As the Senate president, Mr. Cagle wields significant influence over legislation<br />and how it flows through the Senate, where Republicans hold a 37 to 19 majority over Democrats.
