Georgia's lieutenant governor threatens to retaliate against Delta unless it reverses its decision on the NRA
- Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said he will not support a bill that would give Delta a massive tax break, unless the airline reverses its decision to sever a partnership with the National Rifle Association.
- Delta ended the NRA partnership on Saturday due to pressure from gun control advocates following the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida.
- The proposed bill would exempt jet fuel purchases from Georgia sales tax and could save Delta around $40 million.
Georgia's lieutenant governor on Monday attacked Delta Airlines for dropping a partnership with the National Rifle Association, pledging to block any legislation that includes tax benefits for the airline.
Delta, which is headquartered in Atlanta, ended a discount program for NRA members on Saturday after public backlash following a recent high school shooting in Parkland, Florida.
"Delta is reaching out to the National Rifle Association to let it know we will be ending its contract for discounted rates through our group travel program," Delta said in a statement. "We will be requesting that the NRA remove our information from its website."
In response, Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle - who is running for governor as a Republican this year - tweeted that he would block any legislation until Delta renews the partnership.
"I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA," Cagle said Monday. "Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back."
The Georgia legislature is considering a bill that includes a provision to exempt Delta's purchases of jet fuel from the state sales tax, a move that could potentially save the airline around $40 million.
Several other Georgia GOP lawmakers suggested they would not support the tax change until Delta reversed its decision.
Delta attempted to clarify over the weekend that the decision was nonpartisan, painting it as simply a way to stay out of the debate over guns.
"Delta's decision reflects the airline's neutral status in the current national debate over gun control amid recent school shootings," Delta's statement said. "Out of respect for our customers and employees on both sides, Delta has taken this action to refrain from entering this debate and focus on its business. Delta continues to support the 2nd Amendment."
The airline employed more than 33,000 people in the state of Georgia in 2015 and ranks as one of the largest employers in the state.