The L-O-S-T in T-SPLOST refers to public trust
There’s a saying for politicians and for those of us who cover them: The voters are always right. While we’re bound to be subjected to a round or two of recriminations about who’s to blame for the absolute debacle that was the metro Atlanta T-SPLOST campaign, pay attention to those who show signs of understanding and accepting that saying. They’re the ones who will be most likely to find the way forward from here.
For my part, here’s what I think the voters were saying in their 63-37 defeat of the $7.2 billion tax.
The political class has lost our trust.
If that sounds obvious, consider that it’s also a puzzling situation, given that many of the same people who voted overwhelmingly against the T-SPLOST have been voting in large numbers to elect the same Republican politicians who gave us the T-SPLOST. I think there’s a pretty clear explanation: This is the consequence of having a one-party state.
Georgia has been a one-party state for pretty much 140 years now. The first 130 years, it was a one-party state ruled by Democrats. The past 10 years, it’s been a one-party state ruled by Republicans and Democrats-turned-Republicans. (Note: I am referring here only to the party holding the levers at the state level, not municipal or federal offices.) For most of those 140 years, there has been very little credible, effective opposition from the minority party. I’m sure it was worse for the Republicans at times between Reconstruction and Sonny Perdue’s watershed win in 2002, but the situation is pretty bleak right now for Georgia Democrats. And that means Georgia Republicans feel very little electoral heat, which leads them to act in a very insular way.
That’s played out no more clearly than in their attitude toward ethics: If legislators are wise, they’ll recognize that the lack of public trust on display in the T-SPLOST vote means they can’t very well ignore the support of 87 percent of GOP voters for a lengthening of the proverbial arm separating lobbyists from legislators. If I heard one voter say he thought T-SPLOST was all about rewarding political contributors and allies, I heard it from dozens of voters. Legislators cannot go too far in trying to improve the negative public perception around our lawmaking process.
Geographically, at least as it relates to the T-SPLOST, you can locate the center of that lack of trust along the Ga. 400 corridor. Perdue arguably lost Tuesday’s tax vote two years ago when he reneged on the longstanding promise to end the toll when the original bonds were paid off. An opinion poll conducted for the AJC, published last weekend, showed the 400 toll extension was a factor for 55 percent of voters — and that 64 percent of voters doubted the T-SPLOST would end when promised and be limited to the projects on the list.
Nathan Deal obviously thought he could show some good faith by announcing recently that the tolls would come down by the end of next year, fulfilling one of his campaign promises. But the AJC’s opinion poll showed the maneuver actually made voters less likely to vote for the T-SPLOST by a net 6 percentage points. The reason, in my view, is that it sends a signal that state government decides when and how to make these decisions on purely political considerations. Bad political considerations, it now appears.
There are a couple of ways for elected officials to show they understand this message. First and foremost, they must demonstrate clearly that all available transportation money is being spent as wisely and efficiently as possible.
That means showing transportation spending really is a priority for the state. All revenues from the motor fuel tax should be directed to transportation; currently, part of it goes to the general fund. When the inflation-driven formula for the motor fuel tax dictates that the rate should rise to keep spending level in real terms, state government should let it rise. Where money can be cut from lesser priorities and redirected to transportation infrastructure, it should be cut and redirected.
As for efficiency, the state needs to be much more transparent about which projects are priorities based on pure cost-benefit analysis, and begin spending the money we do have on the highest-rated projects. If that means re-examining the wisdom of balancing spending based on congressional districts — they might be equal in population, but they aren’t necessarily equal in terms of transportation needs — so be it.
The money I’ve talked about so far would probably be skewed toward roads rather than mass transit, if only because a constitutional amendment allowing gas-tax revenues to fund transit looks like a sure loser. Transit should be addressed in a two-step manner: First, create a truly regional (if not state-run) governance structure for mass transit in metro Atlanta that incorporates MARTA and the other transit agencies. Second, allow voters beyond Fulton and DeKalb to vote in a referendum to participate in the system, with specific descriptions of the infrastructure and services that would come with it. If they want to join, let them join the same way Fulton and DeKalb joined MARTA.
If some of that sounds like baby steps, well, that’s because they are. One of these days, the people who run our government — at the local, state and federal levels — are going to realize a little modesty on their part would go a long way toward re-establishing the public trust they’ve clearly lost.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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1,018 comments Add your comment
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 1st, 2012
6:12 pm
Our economy is the pits, even the stock market, spoonfed obozobucks as it is, will collapse.
The dummycrats adopt a queer platform to their agenda.
Are you stupid too?
Thulsa Doom
August 1st, 2012
6:12 pm
Brocephus,
What up man? Fooball season right around the corner- Roll Tide.
Don’t mean to but in on your conversation but in response to gay persecution no one does it better than the Iranians. A few times a year they regularly hang known gays for being gay. Usually they hang a couple of adulterers- always women of course, a thief or 2, a couple of Jews for whatever reason but do they really need a reason to hang a Jew in Iran?, and I think last time 4 gays for being gay. They brutal brutal they are.
Matz
August 1st, 2012
6:12 pm
Report/Whine,
There’s reading, and there’s comprehending what you just read. Please try to work on that second one, mmm-kay? I’ll bet your Mommy would like some help setting the table now, as your dinner’s almost ready. That’s a good boy.
Numbers-R-US
August 1st, 2012
6:13 pm
Yep…and if you and your type ever got that kind of theocratic power, you’d do the same. Your posts would translate nicely into Arabic or Persian…
Whiner translates to Khomeini in Persian. Just sayin’
They BOTH suck
August 1st, 2012
6:13 pm
josef
At minimum, you can count on 3 regulars that we know of and you know they have “friends”…….
hahahahahaha
getalife
August 1st, 2012
6:13 pm
I report,
Our President crushed aq and got obl.
Not much love there .
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
6:14 pm
“Our “president” discriminates against success and he hates whitey.”
I wonder if he hates his white half?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 1st, 2012
6:14 pm
Oh yeah, josef, if my neighbor likes to get it on with livestock, I should welcome the addition to my view with open arms, uh-huh.
They BOTH suck
August 1st, 2012
6:15 pm
Bro
What’s up my man? Hope all is well with you and yours
josef
August 1st, 2012
6:15 pm
md
Unmentionable says that the anti gay marriage folks would get a lot more traction if they hit it from the cost to SS for survivor’s benefits,,,,
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 1st, 2012
6:16 pm
gitmo – The ME is ate up with al Qaeda surrogates. The muslim brotherhood rules.
You consider this a victory?
iggy
August 1st, 2012
6:16 pm
“All you people still standing in line for your overpriced chicken sandwich for lunch need to get back to work.”
LOL!!
Vet, my chicken sammys are delicious, you should try one and quit being such a big crybaby.
“Waaahhh waahhh, mommy, they wont agree with me, waaahh”.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
6:17 pm
“Where YOU, the gullible, get a discount on their overpriced slop?”
If you think Chickfila is overpriced then you must be a very poor person. Chicfila is no more overpriced than anything else out there. Same price as Wendys etc. Then again, if you think it’s overpriced then you’ve obviously never eaten there.
Since you think it’s “slop” then you must have the worst taste in food. I’ve never heard a single person say that their food is slop.
Thulsa Doom
August 1st, 2012
6:17 pm
JamVet,
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The sandwich is good. Its the waffle fries and the cole slaw that suck. Overpriced? Yeah. I would have to agree on that. But I will say though that their ice cream cones are dang good. I just won’t go out of my way to get one is all. Besides- Doomy gettin fat.
josef
August 1st, 2012
6:17 pm
WHINER
Man, your mind is a regular porno shop…!
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 1st, 2012
6:18 pm
obozo called his white grandmother a typical “white person.”
I’m just gonna leave it at that, thanks!
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
6:18 pm
“Our economy is the pits, even the stock market, spoonfed obozobucks as it is, will collapse.”
The left wingers aren’t smart, are they.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
6:18 pm
“Its the waffle fries and the cole slaw that suck.”
Their waffle fries are awesome.
iggy
August 1st, 2012
6:19 pm
Victor Hill in runoff for Clayton County Sheriff. LMAO!! The citizens of Clayton County are just plain stupid.
They BOTH suck
August 1st, 2012
6:19 pm
“Since you think it’s “slop” then you must have the worst taste in food. I’ve never heard a single person say that their food is slop.”
Where are the Thulsas and Freds?
Both who defending Chicfila but have said they are basically no fans of their food.
Fred had the best posts about it
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
6:19 pm
“Our President crushed aq and got obl.”
Since Obama has never shot a gun or been in the armed forces, I’d have to call you a liar for that statement.
Michael H. Smith
August 1st, 2012
6:19 pm
“Waaahhh waahhh, mommy, they wont agree with me, waaahh”.
I’ll second that guys order just so you can have another… “Waaahhh waahhh, mommy, they wont agree with me, waaahh”, moment brucie wilcox
They BOTH suck
August 1st, 2012
6:19 pm
TD
Beat me to it
Thanks
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 1st, 2012
6:20 pm
I apologize, I really shouldn’t quote obozo, the mental defective.
My bad.
getalife
August 1st, 2012
6:20 pm
Dow is at 13,000 and your job creators are doing better than ever so where are the jobs?
Thulsa Doom
August 1st, 2012
6:20 pm
josef,
Just make sure the bar is amenable to hot late night women and me and TBS will be there. It’ll be like bringing the gazelles to the lions. Or in my case maybe bringin them to a hyena.
Matz
August 1st, 2012
6:21 pm
Haters… please DO enjoy your meal! Heck, life is short. Please eat quickly so you can get an extra sandwich down before you feel full, and then enjoy dessert!
http://caloriecount.about.com/chick-fil-nutrition-m38
josef
August 1st, 2012
6:21 pm
Logic
I’m not a “single” person, but their food is slop…no need for me to boycott…don’t eat it anyway…bleeeah!
G Mare
August 1st, 2012
6:21 pm
ANK@5:26, I am a left leaning, progressive, liberal. I voted No on tsplost & No on allowing the state to take over the charter schools decisions. I have NEVER voted for any of the politicians you listed – just to set the record straight.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012!
@@
August 1st, 2012
6:21 pm
josef:
When? Does this ring a bell?
“______________, I don’t think I could’ve shown the restraint you did.”
Don’t know if all these accounts are legit, but if so, it’s no way to win friends and influence people.
“Canadian Court: Marriage officials must marry homosexuals”
January 10, 2011
“The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal declared this morning that proposed legislative amendments that would have allowed Saskatchewan’s marriage commissioners to refuse to perform same-sex ‘marriages’ on religious grounds are unconstitutional.”
“Army: court-martial Chaplains for ‘religious, conscience’ objection to homosexuality”
March 24, 2011
“The U.S. Army has officially threatened military chaplains they must either embrace the new openly homosexual military, resign from service, or face court-martial for their ‘religious, conscience’ objections.”
“Tory MP calls for churches to be banned from holding marriages if they refuse gay couples”
PinkNews, September 2, 2011
“Lesbian couple mulls action against Christian wedding cake baker”
November 16, 2011
“An Iowa baker who politely declined to provide a wedding cake for two lesbians based on her Christian values may face legal action from the couple.”
“Gay rights activist calls for boycott of Salvation Army Christmas fundraiser”
November 28, 2011
“Gay rights activists who object to the Salvation Army’s biblical stance on homosexuality are launching their annual call to shut down the organization’s Christmas fundraiser.”
“Case of counseling student forced to undergo pro-homosexual ‘sensitivity training’ goes to court”
December 2, 2011
“After losing at a lower court, a counseling student at a public university in Georgia who was threatened with expulsion because she expressed discomfort with counseling homosexuals, is pleading her case before an Appeals Court this week.”
“Macy’s fires woman for refusing ‘transgender’ man access to women’s fitting room”
December 8, 2011
“A woman has been fired from a Macy’s department store for denying a man dressed as a woman access to the women’s fitting room. ‘I had to either comply with Macy’s or comply with God,’ said Natalie Johnson.”
“A New Jersey judge ruled against a Christian retreat house that refused to allow a same-sex civil union ceremony to be conducted on its premises, ruling the Constitution allows ‘some intrusion into religious freedom to balance other important societal goals’.”
January 12, 2012
“Amsterdam chief rabbi suspended for gay stance”
January 18, 2012
You and I have discussed this, josef. Couples like you and Unmentionable should be leading the way, not letting aggressive activists define who you are. It hurts your cause more than helps it.
josef
August 1st, 2012
6:22 pm
BOTH, THULSA
Okay, but remember, Y’ALL have to claim you’re really gay!
getalife
August 1st, 2012
6:22 pm
I report,
Yes our President won the no fly zone mission in Libya .
@@
August 1st, 2012
6:23 pm
Oops! Third paragraph should not be in slanties.
Don’t know if all these accounts are legit, but if so, it’s no way to win friends and influence people.
Thulsa Doom
August 1st, 2012
6:24 pm
they both suck,
I defend Mr. Cathy’s right to free speech. As for CFA I don’t really care for their food but that’s just me. The only thing I resent is people like Joe Mama insisting its all about hate. Its just gotta be about hate in his opinion. Can’t be about anything else. Why can the man not get it through his head that Mr. Cathy and many others I suspect simply don’t agree with gay marriage due to their religious views and leave it at that?
JamVet
August 1st, 2012
6:25 pm
Doomy, how much do they charge for those sandwiches? $5 or more?
For what iggy and the guppies spend there every year there, I bought a nice grill and plenty of real food to cook on it.
But then these are the people who think McDonalds is also great, Budweiser is the king of beers and that foul cola is the real thing.
But it’s all OK by me.
In this country it is perfectly legal to be dumb and EASILY manipulated by the liberals on Madison Avenue and in Hollywood…
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 1st, 2012
6:25 pm
gitmo- You were the first to blubber when Cheney built the air force that obozo used to put down the scraggly, rat infested Libyan army.
al Qaeda thanks you.
They BOTH suck
August 1st, 2012
6:25 pm
josef
Well if the late night brings in some of the “shoe show”dancers like Back Streets did, it will work itself out. I’m getting old, use to bring my own
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
6:25 pm
“I’m not a “single” person, but their food is slop”
To you and other angry libs, sure. To the rest of us, it’s great.
josef
August 1st, 2012
6:26 pm
@ @
I hope you don’t think that “restraint” was in reference to YOU…if so, please, please understand it was not at all your direction, but others…if I caught you in the broad sweep, I sincerely apologize…next time I’ll be more judicious in doing that…
Favor…would you link me the Dutch rabbi one if you have it close at hand…
They BOTH suck
August 1st, 2012
6:26 pm
“You were the first to blubber when Cheney built the air force”
What years did he do this?
@@
August 1st, 2012
6:26 pm
Victor Hill in runoff for Clayton County Sheriff. LMAO!! The citizens of Clayton County are just plain stupid.
I’m offended.
Brosephus™
August 1st, 2012
6:27 pm
Doom
You know I’ve been preparing the bunker for the season. I’m kinda nervous about my alma mater though with this Crowell thing. I hope that guy stays out of West Montgomery.
Re persecution, check that NY Times article I linked. They specified Northern Nigeria, which is Muslim controlled area, with Boko Haram regulating Taliban-style. I think people would be surprised if they knew which nationalities were running through Northern Nigeria. Thanks to Exxon/Mobil and Shell, our two countries are deadbolted to each other.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
6:28 pm
” how much do they charge for those sandwiches? $5 or more?”
$2.50, JamVet. Real expensive, huh.
“Budweiser is the king of beers ”
Bud hasn’t been the “king” in a very long time. Maybe you should take a marketing class.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 1st, 2012
6:28 pm
I guess nobody is still watching the Olympics. Day one all the libs were nattering on and on. Day two, the still nattered but it was much more subdued nattering. Day three or whatever day it is for this colossal waste of money and energy, they seem to have fallen silent.
You came around to my side, didn’t ya?
getalife
August 1st, 2012
6:28 pm
I report,
cheney?
Where in the heck did they find a match for his heart?
They BOTH suck
August 1st, 2012
6:28 pm
I report: facts are not your friend
I guess you mean when he was Sec of Defense for Bush Sr
Cheney’s most immediate issue as Secretary of Defense was the Department of Defense budget. Cheney deemed it appropriate to cut the budget and downsize the military, following President Ronald Reagan’s peacetime defense buildup at the height of the Cold War.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
6:29 pm
“The only thing I resent is people like Joe Mama insisting its all about hate.”
When mayors/aldermann try to curb free speech…
Yeah, where did anyone get that idea from?
JamVet
August 1st, 2012
6:29 pm
Our President crushed aq and got obl.
And the GOP chickenhawks are HIGHLY upset about that!
They wish OBL was still alive. Because that makes Barry look as bad as their beloved George.
That hate this prez – and pretty much all non-Republicans – much more than they love this country or support the troops.
But that ain’t exactly news, is it?
Numbers-R-US
August 1st, 2012
6:29 pm
Can’t even get a good beer with lunch at Chick-Fil-A. What good is that.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
6:29 pm
“Yes our President won the no fly zone mission in Libya .”
??????????????????????????????????????????????