ATLANTA — Delta's decision to cut marketing ties with the National Rifle Association has prompted some Georgia Republican lawmakers to question whether the Atlanta-based airline should get a tax cut on jet fuel.
At least three GOP candidates for governor recently condemned Delta for joining more than a dozen U.S. corporations that have ended partnerships with the NRA after a deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida.
Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle took to Twitter Monday to voice his displeasure with Delta's decision.
“Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back,” Cagle said.
I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA. Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.
— Casey Cagle (@CaseyCagle) February 26, 2018
"I'm tired of conservatives being kicked around on our values and it's time that we stand up and fight and show corporations that conservative values are important," Cagle told Channel 2's Richard Elliot Monday afternoon.
The news comes as Delta appeared close to convincing lawmakers to restore a lucrative sales tax exemption on jet fuel.
That proposal is part of Gov. Nathan Deal's larger tax overhaul, which has passed the House and awaits Senate input.
Finance Committee Chair Chuck Hufstetler told Channel 2 Action News that he thinks the tax cuts will pass, but he was less sure of the jet fuel tax break.
"I think we need to have further discussions on that issue before we move forward," Hustetler said. "
Delta said in a news release that the company's decision "merely confirmed its neutral status" in the national debate over guns.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group
