ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia state government's top leaders are united on one point: Something must be done this year to pay for the state's transportation needs.

Gov. Nathan Deal, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston all backed increasing transportation funding at an event hosted by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. It's still not clear exactly how the state will create that money on the second day of the General Assembly's session.

But business leaders called the united message encouraging. The Chamber and some of the state's largest employers have been outspoken advocates for transportation reform.

Deal says that lawmakers committed to pledges not to raise taxes should consider the state's rapidly growing population and promised more detail on his position in Wednesday's State of the State address.