T-SPLOST falls in metro Atlanta; several incumbents unseated
UPDATE at 12:16 p.m.: My colleagues on the news side have now called the referendum as well, declaring T-SPLOST defeated in metro Atlanta. It’s on to Plan B. The one thing I can say with certainty: There will be a Plan B.
That’s it for tonight. More to come Wednesday.
UPDATE at 11:55 p.m.: At least four incumbent House members were defeated Tuesday by challengers:
- Charlice Byrd, R-Woodstock, lost 53-47 to Michael Caldwell;
- Steve Davis, R-McDonough, lost 65-35 to Dale Rutledge;
- Doug McKillip, an Athenian who went from being a member of the House Democratic leadership to a Republican who this year sponsored the so-called fetal pain anti-abortion bill, lost 50.4-49.6 to Regina Quick;
- Keith Heard, D-Athens, lost 55-45 to Spencer Frye.
In addition, there are two districts where House Democratic incumbents were paired against each other. Pat Gardner had a 63-37 lead over Rashad Taylor, while Simone Bell led Ralph Long 57-43.
And another six House incumbents were in real trouble: Judy Manning, R-Marietta; Yasmin Neal, D-Jonesboro; Glenn Baker, D-Jonesboro; Kip Smith, R-Columbus; and Jason Spencer, R-Woodbine, all were trailing late Tuesday night, and Pam Dickerson, D-Conyers, was headed for a runoff against Sharon Sawyer.
UPDATE at 11:30 p.m.: My prediction of a single-digit loss for metro Atlanta’s T-SPLOST is looking shaky. With two-thirds of the region’s precincts reporting, the tax is trailing by a whopping 18 28 percentage points, 64-36 (sorry, late-night math — KW). We shall see what the final margin is, but I feel safe in saying the tax has been defeated.
In other news, it would appear state Sen. Jack Murphy survived a tough primary challenge. Other endangered Senate incumbents (see previous update) were still having to sweat it out. Sens. Miriam Paris and Bill Heath, and probably Gail Davenport as well, appeared headed for runoffs.
UPDATE at 10:10 p.m.: A few incumbent state senators appear to be in some trouble tonight. With the caveat that it’s still early, with important parts of these districts still to report, the nervous ones tonight are:
- Majority Whip Cecil Station, R-Macon, who trails challenger Spencer Price 51-49 at the moment;
- Johnny Grant, R-Milledgeville, who trails Burt Jones 53-47;
- Miriam Paris, D-Macon, who trails former state Rep. David Lucas 48-47 (with a third candidate taking a handful of votes);
- Jack Murphy, R-Cumming, who has drawn criticism for remaining chairman of the Senate Banking Committee while being sued by the FDIC, leads Steve Voshall 50.2-49.8;
- Bill Heath, R-Bremen, a.k.a. the man who put longtime Speaker Tom Murphy out of politics, leads Bill Carruth 45-42 in another three-man race;
- Gail Davenport, D-Jonesboro, is trailing former state Sen. Gail Buckner 48-37 in a three-person race;
UPDATE at 9:44 p.m.: In congressional races, we appear to be headed to runoffs in a couple of GOP primaries.
In the newly created 9th District centered on Hall and Forsyth counties, state Rep. Doug Collins has 42 percent of the vote and radio talk-show host Martha Zoller 41 percent. There still are a number of counties still to fully report in that large, Northeast Georgia district.
In the 12th, which Republicans redrew last year to be much more favorable to their party against incumbent Democrat John Barrow, state Rep. Lee Anderson has an early lead in a four-way race. But the Augusta area, home to two of the challengers, has yet to report most of its results.
We might also see a Republican runoff in the 2nd, although incumbent Democrat Sanford Bishop is much safer in his redrawn district than he was in 2010, when he barely held onto his office. Whoever emerges from the GOP side is unlikely to give him nearly as tough a run this year.
Neither Hank Johnson (D) nor Phil Gingrey (R) nor Lynn Westmoreland (R), the only incumbents to face more than one primary challenger, seems likely to end up in a runoff. (Note: I left Westmoreland off that list originally. — KW)
UPDATE at 9:30 p.m.: Two and a half hours after the polls closed, we still don’t have a ton of clarity about how T-SPLOST is faring in metro Atlanta. That’s because Clayton, DeKalb and Fulton counties are just beginning to report the bulk of their returns. When they do, the 66-34 lead for the “no” vote will narrow considerably. I still look for disapproval of the sales-tax hike by single digits.
That said, the nightmare scenario for state officials seems to be unfolding: Metro Atlanta, for whom the T-SPLOST was created, will vote it down while it passes in other regions, tying the hands of state lawmakers in coming up with Plan B. The tax is currently ahead in the regions surrounding Augusta and Columbus, along with the one in rural southeast-central (ish) Georgia stretching from Wrightsville to Jesup. I still think the only option will be for another vote within a couple of years.
ORIGINAL POST:
Tonight — or early Wednesday morning — we’ll learn the fate not only of the T-SPLOST in metro Atlanta and 11 other regions around the state. We’ll also find out the winners in a number of elections for Congress and the statehouse, whether other races are going to runoffs, and how the ballot measures fared in the Democratic and GOP primaries.
I’ll update this post as the evening wears on. You can get results here.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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456 comments Add your comment
Numbers-R-US
August 1st, 2012
10:43 am
Why would any of you think that Caterpillar or Toyo or any major manufacturing business would want to put a plant in a major city such as Atlanta. I could see them on the outskirts of some place like Macon or Athens or Columbus, a city large enough to provide the necessary workers, etc., but that’s about as close to Atlanta as they should care to be.
So so so
August 1st, 2012
10:44 am
“Let me guess…. SOCIALIST who lacks diversity”
Well not sure how many socialists will be at the Republican convention, but we know one thing, it will be short on diversity
Just saying, but do carry on with the blather
stands for decibels
August 1st, 2012
10:45 am
It’s my understanding that the reason there is no MARTA line to Turner Field is that the Braves didn’t want it because it would cut into their parking revenue.
If true, I’ll officially push forward my “consider allowing myself to do the Chop” milestone another five years.
larry
August 1st, 2012
10:45 am
How could they if they don’t even know what is on the project list.
Actually, i live in NE Georgia, and i knew what was on the project list. It isn’t my fault that voters are uneducated. Now , comes plan B, where we have to kiss up to the Governor to get anything built now. Nice move , Repubs. Pretty soon, this state will be where y’all want it to be.
The message was sent loud and clear to companies that were considering locating here. Sure, we’ve heard about the Catipillar’s and Baxter’s . But what about the companies that are bypassing us everyday because we have decided not to fund education , and now we don’t want to fund infrastructure. And to those of you who say the state must live within its means Dont forget, the state has to pay for things , those things cost money and are subject to inflationary pressures just like the things we buy. So , for those of you who voted no, i hope y’all like potholes , because they are coming to a road near you. Real quickly.
iggy
August 1st, 2012
10:48 am
All these pro-tax increase sheeple. Unbelievable.
@@
August 1st, 2012
10:48 am
Never:
Choose a different target for your snipe hunt.
I’ve never been one to make predictions.
So so so
August 1st, 2012
10:49 am
“All these pro-tax increase sheeple. Unbelievable.”
Did you vote for Deal?
iggy
August 1st, 2012
10:49 am
Perhaps now with all the lost jobs for GA/Atlanta, many of you whiners could jump State lines, which would assist in solving the traffic problems.
CYA!
Never can tell
August 1st, 2012
10:50 am
@@
Doesn’t matter whether you make them or not. Even many conservative pundits do not have your boy Romney winning
shnirt
Obama is over
August 1st, 2012
10:50 am
If you live in the city of Atlanta, all you have to do to understand the defeat of T-SPLOST is open your monthly water bill. Years of cronyism, incompetence, and the blame game have resulted in Atlanta having the highest water/sewer rates in the country. Unfortunately, the need for transportation improvements is not going away, but the fundamental mistrust of city government has been confirmed by the citizens of Atlanta. I wonder if the Mayor regrets his appearance on “Meet The Press” preaching Obama’s tax the rich mantra? Brookhaven approving becoming its own city is further proof. People are simply no longer willing to give elected officials open checkbooks at taxpayer expense so that they can give above market contracts to special interest groups in exchange for campaign contributions. Obama is in the process of learning this concept the hard way.There is a limit to how much patience Americans have for elected officials’ lack of progress.
USMC
August 1st, 2012
10:51 am
MARTA is a DISASTER and they have the arrogance to demand more MONEY??? LOL!
Just like my parentS used to say,”take care of what you ALREADY have, THEN we can discuss getting you a (fill in the blank).”
Wake up folks, throwing Billions of taxpayer dollars into the fire isn’t going to fix anything.
Local politicians need to go back to the drawing board and increase the quality/efficiency with what they already have, then let’s talk.
How about FOCUSING on MARTA and get rid of the RACIST politics and ineptitude for starters.
This LOSS is to be blamed on the politicians.
Never can tell
August 1st, 2012
10:52 am
iggy
I voted No, but why are you suggesting people leave the state?
I doubt you like Obama, but I am sure you have no plans to leave the country.
But keep up the nothingness
Hillbilly D
August 1st, 2012
10:53 am
For general info, there is a such thing as a snipe. I haven’t seen one since I was a teenager, though. They’re pretty rare in these parts now.
http://www.birds-of-north-america.net/wilson-s-snipe.html
Big D
August 1st, 2012
10:53 am
Piedmont South from North Georgia
Thanks for your comment. You are over looking the fact that the present traffic problems are caused by “getting the workers to their jobs” as you said. Those workers are presently living in the suburbs. The Atlanta area population shows more people living in the suburbs than live inside of the perimeter. BTW, there are plenty of very good resturants and parks in the suburbs along with public transportation and bicycle paths and walking trails. You know, the quality of life amenities people in the city dream of.
Steve
August 1st, 2012
10:55 am
There is a reason why the South falls behind the rest of this Nation on so many levels – education, infant mortality, clean air, transit, roads… it’s because we make so many back-assed decisions based on ignorance, prejudice, fear of change, and who knows what else.
Don’t complain that Atlanta traffic sucks or MARTA goes nowhere. Instead, vote in people who have a clue instead of corrupt idiots.
Never can tell
August 1st, 2012
10:55 am
“The Atlanta area population shows more people living in the suburbs than live inside of the perimeter”
Isn’t that the case for many of the larger cities across the country?
@@
August 1st, 2012
10:55 am
Never:
Romney’s not my boy.
Tell me…do you consider Obama “your boy”?
SCHNIRT!!!!
Never can tell
August 1st, 2012
10:57 am
@@
I voted for Hillary, but nice try.
double and triple SHNIRT
iggy
August 1st, 2012
10:58 am
Never can tell
August 1st, 2012
10:52 am
Was merely a viable solution to the traffic mess.
Splost vs Obama? Apples and oranges my friend.
Never can tell
August 1st, 2012
11:00 am
iggy
Did you vote for Deal?
iggy
August 1st, 2012
11:01 am
Vote for Deal? No. Voted for neither.
Erwin's cat
August 1st, 2012
11:02 am
Deal’s approval rating in GA is 57%
SlickRick
August 1st, 2012
11:02 am
Never can tell – Nice one. @@ can’t see the forest for the trees, so blinded by hate is she.
I liked your schnirtey conclusion, by the way. Good on ‘ya.
Never can tell
August 1st, 2012
11:03 am
iggy
Thanks for the reply. I asked because you said something about “pro tax sheeple”, yet the state government is run by Republicans and a good many came out in favor of the TSPOLST.
Back Seater
August 1st, 2012
11:04 am
Wonder why the Dems can use former Presidents but you sure dont see the Bush’s around
Oh I don’t know, it’s kinda like Gore and Kerry didn’t want Clinton on the trail with them…………
Never can tell
August 1st, 2012
11:05 am
Erwin
Who is arguing Deal’s approval rating? I’m just merely saying that many on these blogs voted Deal and the Republicans who supported the TSPOLST. And they will vote for them again.
Their choice, but cry to the right people.
Randy G
August 1st, 2012
11:06 am
They can remove their ugly yard signs from every street corner now – all of ‘em!
Lu Green
August 1st, 2012
11:06 am
I own property in North Georgia as well as California. When learning Ga History as a child we were
taught Atlanta grew because of railroads not water. Guess what? Most large cities are developed around water, transportation is good but if you have no water you are limited. Atlanta is overgrown
but your city officials refuse to notice. You can no longer make plans to add jobs because even coke
doesnt have enough water. The Indians who used canoes say who controls transportation controls the world Got that from Seattle as they were introducing a new monster ferry.to Puget Sound. Lets see, New York, Washington, Savannah, Maimi, Chicago, San Fran, Los Angeles, San Diego, even Texas has a hugh aquafier to support large cities. Atlanta as well as Las Vegas have to look to the Tennessee
River and Colorado River and hope they will share , well what if they dont……That is why Chattanooga is growing providing automoblie industry water, Dalton grew because of water so could control color
and wash the carpet. If this country is to survive simple facts can no longer be ignored. Limit all these
building permits. Cordially, LU
Never can tell
August 1st, 2012
11:07 am
bloggers, not blogs…..
excuse me
heck that goes for the voting population as whole, not just the bloggers
Hmmmmmm
August 1st, 2012
11:07 am
@larry
You of all people shouldn’t be calling people uneducated…. First of all, for a Tax to get voted down this bad, both Democrats and Repubs voted against this idiotic tax. Secondly, Georgia spends more money on education than most states in the Union! and for what, I do not know! Please just get yourself some HELP! Maybe you and Amvet can split the cost….
Never can tell
August 1st, 2012
11:08 am
Randy G
Amen
Sick of Progs
August 1st, 2012
11:09 am
Businesses are flocking to California for high taxes and congestion! Schnirt
Big D
August 1st, 2012
11:11 am
Never can tell
August 1st, 2012
10:55 am
“The Atlanta area population shows more people living in the suburbs than live inside of the perimeter”
Isn’t that the case for many of the larger cities across the country?
You are correct but you did not discover some hidden truth known only to you. The comment was made as evidence of the need for business to relocate to the suburbs rather than the inner city thereby diminishing the need for tax payer funding of transportation projects which only benefit inner city busness. If you own a business not dependant on retail consumers wouldn’t you locate that business where the workers are, where the over head is cheaper, etc.? My point is that improving transportation to the inner city only increases the need to provide more and more transportation to the inner city. I say stop the cycle. It is simple. If business needs better transportation let them pay for it.
Ray
August 1st, 2012
11:11 am
Sixty seven to thirty three percent, the message was sent. Voters were clearly informed (thanks, Kyle). Let’s see if they have learned anything. Hint: a sleeker campaign is not the answer.
iggy
August 1st, 2012
11:13 am
“Atlanta is overgrown but your city officials refuse to notice. You can no longer make plans to add jobs because even coke doesnt have enough water”
Excellent point. Atlanta is way overgrown.
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
August 1st, 2012
11:13 am
Big D
August 1st, 2012
10:06 am
Today is “suppoert Chick-fil-A day”. I will lunch at Chick-fil-A today to show support of freedom of speech.
————————————–
And I will continue to boycott them to show support for equal rights for ALL individuals.
Never can tell
August 1st, 2012
11:13 am
Hmmmmmmmmmm
Instead of obsessing over Amvet (if you love him, just tell him) you might want to look up a few facts before the usual running at the mouth you display.
GA is the 9th most populated state and ranks 9th in total education spending.
So what was that you were saying?
bwhahahahahahah
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 1st, 2012
11:16 am
What skeletons are in Romney’s tax filings?
Hmmmmmm
August 1st, 2012
11:18 am
@ Never can tell…
Thanks for making my point…. Top Ten in education spending… and what was your point… Maybe you can share the cost of finding some good counseling as well…
iggy
August 1st, 2012
11:18 am
No one at Chick fil a is denying rights to anyone and I would imagine Chick fil a has many gay employees.
Would all individuals not have an equal right to freedom of expression, thinking etc.?
Oh now I see…if YOU state its ok then eveyone should fall into line.
Thanks for the clarification. Michael Stipe would love your mentality.
Never can tell
August 1st, 2012
11:18 am
Big D @ 11:11
Thanks for the reply. But that is not going to happen. You will get some businesses that will relocate to the burbs as you said, but some will skip the metro Atlanta area altogether.
Of course the reasons will not be just because of TSPLOST but Atlanta seems to be loosing its edge already. We used to be 1st tier to Dallas, Charlotte and Nashville. Those cities seem to have invested more in infrastructure. Coincidence? I don’t know.
I voted against TSPOLST because of what I saw as too pet projects
getalife
August 1st, 2012
11:20 am
will robme did not pay any taxes for 10 years.
They should file charges on this felon.
USMC
August 1st, 2012
11:20 am
Why can’t the city of Atlanta simply SYNCHRONIZE THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS???? For Starters…
(that would indicate to intelligent voters that you are serious about improving the quality of transportation in the Metro area)
Then move onto CLEANING HOUSE at MARTA and increasing the efficiency/quality, etc.
Never can tell
August 1st, 2012
11:21 am
Hmmmmmmmm
Brains are not your style. I’m sure there is waste, however the spending coincides with the population. That is not a coincidence. What state has more population and spends less?
Is it a prerequisite that you cry and obsess over AmVet regardless of what blog name you are using?
USMC
August 1st, 2012
11:22 am
“will robme did not pay any taxes for 10 years.”
Neither have you Getalife! LOL!
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
August 1st, 2012
11:22 am
Iggi,
For your 1116…
http://lolcats.icanhascheezburger.com/2012/07/31/funny-cat-pictures-in-slow-mo-too/
@@
August 1st, 2012
11:23 am
Well just goes to show…
Never can tell:
I voted for Hillary in the primary, hoping I could vote for her in the general.
I DID NOT vote for Nathan Deal.
Hillbilly:
I was using snipe as a verb.
snipe: to attack a person or a person’s work with petulant or snide criticism, especially anonymously or from a safe distance.
Had my fill of those <———– next door. Their sole purpose was to lay in wait. Ladies in waiting, if you will.
larry
August 1st, 2012
11:23 am
@ Hmmmmmmm…………., I called people uneducated because the poster said the tax was voted down ,but they did not know what was on the projects list. I live in NE Georgia , our county unemployment rate is above 9%. I knew what was on the projects list and how it would benefit our county.
Just to vote something down blindly without knowing the pros and cons doesnt benefit everyone. And now, guess what, we better be nice to Nathan, because now he controls what gets built and what doesnt. But y’all did it to yourself.
getalife
August 1st, 2012
11:24 am
USMC,
I am not running for President and paid all my taxes.
will robme is a felon.
Hillbilly D
August 1st, 2012
11:24 am
Excellent point. Atlanta is way overgrown.
And yet they keep talking about expanding (Metro area not just the city) and bringing in 3 million more people in the coming decades. Until Metro Atlanta and North Georgia figures out something to base their economy on, other than wide open development, the traffic and water problems will only get worse. It’s taken 40 years or more to get where we are today and it’ll take a long time to right the ship, if that ever happens.