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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,018 comments Add your comment
Hillbilly D
August 1st, 2012
7:34 pm
Had something of a strange revelation today, if that’s what you’d call it. I was in the grocery store and I was hungry and they had this big picture of a mighty tasty looking BBQ sandwich with 99¢ in big yellow letters right next to it. I thought to myself, you know, that looks mighty good and you’re hungry, you might want to partake in this. But then I got closer and wouldn’t you know it, there was some fine print. Turns out the 99¢ was for a Coke, if I purchased the sandwich and nowhere on the sign, did it mention how much the sandwich was. So I says to myself, you know most everything you see these days is based on deceit and/or lies. Is it any wonder the world is in such a mess?
So I just came on home and ate me a mater sandwich.
BADA BING
August 1st, 2012
7:34 pm
oops wrong poem have to find the right one
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
7:34 pm
“That 7:29 look like a cheap shot at another blogger.”
Not gonna fly here, Numbers. I didn’t call the guy a name. Just said that I thought he was a special ed student. You should learn how to comprehend the english language for a change.
They BOTH suck
August 1st, 2012
7:34 pm
TD
Too funny
And I’m gone.
Kyle Wingfield
August 1st, 2012
7:36 pm
That’s it for tonight, everyone. Comments are in moderation until tomorrow morning.
josef
August 1st, 2012
7:40 pm
GMARE
Like you, I’m grateful for Uncle Kyle’s welcome of us displaced persons…I try to check in from time to time here since there’s a lot of my old buds from Jay’s here…
As for the back up….oh, Honey, that chile is a trip! He can throw a queen fit to put me to shame…
Numbers-R-US
August 1st, 2012
7:41 pm
@ 7:34,
I did not claim that you called anyone a name. Perhaps it is you that should learn the subtleties of the English language.
md
August 1st, 2012
7:43 pm
Wonder if ole Harry knows the media has been running it’s own agenda unchecked for decades (in both directions)….usually old white guys.
Citizens United just leveled the playing field.
@@
August 1st, 2012
7:48 pm
Well, I see the lights have been turned off. I’ll just stumble around in the dark.
The critics, after all, were right. There are plenty of good reasons for an individual to avoid patronizing Chick-fil-A—not just the company’s opposition to equality for LGBT humans, but also the plight of the chickens whose slaughtered flesh Chick-fil-A laughingly sells.–Justia.com
Can’t help but laugh at THAT one.
LGBT and the plight of chickens!!??!!
laurie
August 1st, 2012
8:26 pm
I agree Kyle. I think making GDOT projects more transparent, publishing cost benefit analysis for all or most requests, and outlining the methodology used to select funded items, would be a good start. Also, any future TSPLOST type amendments should be smaller in scope, targeted at smaller regions that will see direct impact, and have a shorter duration than 10 years.
dabir dalton
August 1st, 2012
8:54 pm
1) For quite some time Republicans have elected on a no new tax platform.
2) Republicans have spent years drilling into the public’s perception that govt. can’t be trusted
3) Conservative Republican voters are well known for electing the most dishonest of men into political office Perdue – Deal – Ralston – In Nov. once again conservative republicans will attempt to vote Mr. Flip flopper personified into office when they vote for romney.
Conservative republicans have sowed the wind of mistrust and dishonesty for years and now it is their turn to reap the whirlwind.
Intown
August 1st, 2012
8:56 pm
In regard to mass transit: Kyle, I thought we had a regional governance structure. It was supposed to be GRTA.
In regard to T-SPLOST vote, it’s just a shame. The voters in Augusta, Columbus and freakin’ Jessup care more about their economic future than metro Atlanta. Unprecedented in GA.
ragnar danneskjold
August 1st, 2012
9:33 pm
I respectfully believe our host errs. The T-SPLOST vote has nothing to do with “diminished trust” of elected officials. The elected officials might think that – in that rarefied society , it’s always about “me.” Those cultists who magnify the importance of our noble leaders also would assess “diminished trust” as the warning bell from the voters, sniffing, “the rabble is revolting.”
I believe the voters think for themselves, and as a general proposition believe government is spending too much. This vote was an opportunity to stand athwart the spending machine and yell, “stop.” And the voters did.
yuzeyurbrane
August 1st, 2012
11:01 pm
Kyle, you are right about the hubris of the ruling class and many of the actions you propose would help this disconnect. I don’t know if it is one party rule per se that causes this but no doubt it is a factor and for 140 years corruption has largely been part of the political culture. And it has often centered upon transportation because that has always been a big pot of gold. But it has also been in other areas where there are large govt. expenditures with little transparency. And whenever the average folk begin to see that they really are all being shafted by the same corrupt folks in power, they have all too often been manipulated by ugly wedge issues appealing to the darker side of their natures.
seabeau
August 2nd, 2012
6:13 am
What Alanta really needs are more reservoirs,not more highways. If you build more roads,more people will come,and more roads will be needed. Stop expanding now and have a more liveable city later!!!
stands for decibels
August 2nd, 2012
7:58 am
Mornin’.
How’s everyone enjoying “Declare Victory and Waddle Home” day?
stands for decibels
August 2nd, 2012
8:17 am
What Alanta really needs are more reservoirs,not more highways.
Might need ‘em, but building new reservoirs is a lot easier said than done these days, given how many people lay claim to these water basins.
Comprehensive water conservation efforts (I’d prefer positive rather than negative reinforcement methods) would go a long way in the meantime.
Del
August 2nd, 2012
8:18 am
Just out of curiosity a question for Kyle or a regular, is it customary for Kyle to close down his blog each day in the early evening?
stands for decibels
August 2nd, 2012
8:24 am
Del @ 8.18, I’m not exactly a regular, but I am interested in how these blogs are managed, so I had been paying attention…
And the answer is “yes.” Kyle decided relatively recently that rather than dealing with the usual drunken outbursts that accompany night-time postings, he’d just shut it down overnight.
Jose
August 2nd, 2012
8:25 am
intown doesn’t get it and is just selfish
the rest of metro atlanta was not going to pay higher taxes for projects that only benefit INTOWN……….. an analogy is how liberals complain the poor pay for tax cuts for the rich
the T-SPLOST was top heavy with projects for DEKALB, FULTON, CofATL…………..
Interested observer
August 2nd, 2012
8:25 am
I knew there was a reason to keep reading this ultra-conservative blog; every now and then I actually agree with Kyle, and this was one of those occasions.
TSPLOST came down to trust, and trust in government is gone. Some of that has to do with the constant attack on government and taxation to the right that has been so successful that the GOP faithful don’t have any faith in any government, even that led by the people they elect. And they’re correct in not having any faith. It turns out that there’s little difference between a Democrat and a Republican once they’re elected. All of those GOP candidates for the legislature say they’re for smaller government and less government intrusion, but the General Assembly each year passes hundreds of bills that enlarge government and make it more intrusive.
I disagree with Kyle on a minor point. I think we actually had a two-party state for a year or two as voters moved from being Democrats to being Republicans.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
8:26 am
“I did not claim that you called anyone a name. Perhaps it is you that should learn the subtleties of the English language.”
I never said that you did claim that I called him a name, Numbers. Perhaps you should learn to read.
stands for decibels
August 2nd, 2012
8:27 am
We’d probably save a lot of water in GA by simply declaring all homeowners’ associations covenants forbidding anything but thirsty front-yard grass turf null and void, for starters.
Of course I’d see that as a positive reinforcement, since I think homeowners should be able to — nay, ENCOURAGED to, raise crops in their front yards if they wish. YMMV.
Peadawg
August 2nd, 2012
8:30 am
Looks like Romney may drift farther to the right to please the Tea Party.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/mitt-romney-move-emboldened-tea-party/story?id=16906367
Are we EVER going to what Romney truly believes?
Don Abernethy
August 2nd, 2012
8:30 am
Distrust in government is not just local. Washington is at the top of the list.
Peadawg
August 2nd, 2012
8:33 am
going to know**
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
8:33 am
Logic,
You claimed that you did not call the guy a name and used that claim as your basis for attacking my post where I called you out for taking a “cheap shot” at another blogger with your use of the “special ed” line. Your subsequent attempts to deflect are entertaining though. Carry on.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
8:35 am
“Are we EVER going to what Romney truly believes?”
He believes the opposite of what Obama believes.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
8:35 am
Mitt believes in the American Dream, Peadawg.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
8:36 am
“You claimed that you did not call the guy a name and used that claim as your basis for attacking my post”
Project much? Attack?
“Your subsequent attempts to deflect are entertaining though. ”
Says the guy who says I “attacked” him.
Carry on.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
8:37 am
“Looks like Romney may drift farther to the right to please the Tea Party.”
GREAT! I applaud him for it!
@@
August 2nd, 2012
8:38 am
Business groups retool after tax defeat
What does that mean, exactly…that they’re gonna have to come up with some new tools?
schnirt
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
8:40 am
Says the guy who says I “attacked” him.
I actually said, “You claimed that you did not call the guy a name and used that claim as your basis for attacking my post where I called you out for taking a “cheap shot” at another blogger with your use of the “special ed” line.”
stands for decibels
August 2nd, 2012
8:42 am
Are we EVER going to [know] what Romney truly believes?
I am going to defend Mitt, here.
He is only a little more blatant in his willingness to adapt his “core beliefs” in order to win than most, and that’s because, as a governor of a Northeastern state, he had farther to travel, ideologically, than most in the running for the GOP nomination. (Obviously guys like Buddy Roemer and Gary Johnson didn’t make that shift, because they didn’t have to, since they didn’t really expect to win. In the case of Huntsman, it was a more principled decision, I guess.)
You can allow yourself to be upset by it, or you can do as I do, which is to wryly respond, when asked what I think of Romney, that “I’d have seriously considered the 2002 version.”
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
8:43 am
Numbers-R-US
Go cry to someone else, ok. I’m not arguing with you about my observations of getalife anymore.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
8:43 am
UH OH LIBS!!!!!!”
Chick-fil-A ‘Set a World Record’
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/chick-fil-set-world-record_649217.html
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
8:44 am
MORE bad news for left wingers.
Jobless Claims Increase
The number of U.S. workers filing applications for jobless benefits rose last week, continuing an uneven pattern that suggests job creation was likely modest in July.
Initial jobless claims, an indication of layoffs, increased by 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 365,000 in the week ended July 28, the Labor Department said Thursday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast 370,000 new applications for jobless benefits last week.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443687504577564761715307088.html
stands for decibels
August 2nd, 2012
8:46 am
Just for those playing at home, I assume this “Logic was never…” guy is the same one who used to post (incessantly) as “Communist AJC,” years back. Were I Nate Silver I’d put the probability of a match at around 97%.
Having said that, I will play by Kyle’s rules and refer to him by his current screen handle, trollish though it may be.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
8:46 am
Go cry to someone else, ok. I’m not arguing with you about my observations of getalife anymore.
Cry? Argue? Deflect. Much. OK.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
8:48 am
“Having said that, I will play by Kyle’s rules and refer to him by his current screen handle, trollish though it may be.”
Keep trying, stands.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
8:48 am
“Jobs!. Jobs! Jobs… Jobs… Jobs!” – GOP 2010 campaign.
Where are those jobs, cons.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
8:50 am
I saw a post from Kyle where he informed us of the return of “Logic…” starting yesterday.
weetamoe
August 2nd, 2012
8:50 am
TEA party groups all over the country have demonstrated their faith in government by working within the system to elect conservatives from local office all the way to the senate. They just have a different view of government accountability than those who continue to smear them with everything from offensive homosexual epithets to comments about where they live—and a different view from occupiers who rely on defecating and micturating on police (government) cars to solve perceived inequality. Citizens who came together in TEA party groups did so after listening to Rick Santelli in Chicago and reading the WAPO 21March report of the CBO comparing Obama’s projected deficits with Bush’s real deficits.
Peadawg
August 2nd, 2012
8:52 am
““Jobs!. Jobs! Jobs… Jobs… Jobs!” – GOP 2010 campaign.
Where are those jobs, cons.”
Jobs!. Jobs! Jobs… Jobs… Jobs!” – Obama 2008 campaign.
Where are those jobs, Obama?
BADA BING
August 2nd, 2012
8:53 am
I heard that they were going to pass a special TSPLOST, just to relieve traffic congestion around Chik Fil A restaurants.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
8:54 am
“Where are those jobs, cons.”
Huh, so Obama is a Republican? I mean, he is the president who said that he would put a “laser-like focus” on the economy.
JDW
August 2nd, 2012
8:54 am
@Peadawg…”Are we EVER going to what Romney truly believes?”
Romney believes he would like to win and is running a marketing campaign that panders for votes while suppressing his negatives…like not paying much in taxes, somehow accumulating $100 million in a 401K (in spite of the virtual mathematic impossibility), and making a fortune in a legal but very distasteful way.
He is hoping the American public focuses on the average performance of the Obama Administration and forgets all about the debacle of Duhbya whose policies he intends to resurrect.
stands for decibels
August 2nd, 2012
8:55 am
Numbers @ 8.50, I might add (and I apologize to one and all for going all soap-opera here), I only mentioned that bit about LWNIFL = Communist AJC since he’d thought it would be cute to attack our JamVet for posting regularly over the past, what was it, seven years, he’d claimed?
Given that this guy has been posting regularly for over four years, himself, it seemed almost as laughable at that trash-bag of Drudgian talking points he mistakes for an ideology.
Peadawg
August 2nd, 2012
8:56 am
“like not paying much in taxes”
Hell according to Harry Reid, he didn’t pay any taxes. I really wish Romney would man up and release more tax returns to put this to rest once and for all.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
8:56 am
“like not paying much in taxes”
MSNBC talking points alert!
“and making a fortune in a legal but very distasteful way.”
I seriously doubt he cares if you think he made his fortune in a distasteful way. John Edwards made his millions off of other people’s suffering but the left NEVER said anything about that.
“debacle of Duhbya whose policies he intends to resurrect.”
Unemployment was never 8% under Bush. No matter how many times you lie about Bush, Bush never had to deal with 8% unemployment.