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
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:07 am
“Geithner voluntarily submitted to having his tax returns audited and he corrected all errors that were found in that audit and it was well publicized. ”
Like I said, the left picks and chooses what to be outraged over.
” Even McCain turned him down as his VP candidate after reviewing his returns.”
Link please. I’ve never read that about McCain.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
10:08 am
Logic — “If you know that then could you please give us all the winning lotto numbers?”
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
No refunds. Satisfaction not guaranteed.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:08 am
“I’d start paying attention to the electoral vote map if I were you.”
I will in November.
Oblama
August 2nd, 2012
10:09 am
The majority of voters would like to see Obama’s birth certificate…. yet to be produced. Romney would like to see Obama’s birth certificate……….. asked for but never produced. What are you hiding Obama?
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:09 am
“Do what you have to do. I just figured I would pass on the information.”
Understood. I went and re-read Kyle’s rules and didn’t see anything about mocking other AJC writers. People do it all the time on Mark Bradley’s and Jeff Shultz’s blog. Pretty funny too because those two make fun of themselves as well.
JDW
August 2nd, 2012
10:09 am
@Joe…”I think he’s calculated that sweating it out and taking the hits is less damaging than whatever the tax returns show is likely to be.”
Agreed! But, I do think there is at least a 50/50 shot there is something in there that would cross the line. It might be drawing salary from Bain while “uninvolved”, contributing undervalued assets to his 401K or crossing the line on wealth transfer to his children. It is a target rich environment!
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 2nd, 2012
10:09 am
Yeah, let’s hold a Presidential nominee to the exact same scrutiny we hold a cabinet member. You folks are grasping at straws.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:10 am
I’d like to see Obama’s grades since the left talks about how much smarter he is than the rest of us.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 2nd, 2012
10:10 am
Jon Stewart plowed into Harry Reid hard last night. Deservedly so.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
10:10 am
Logic — “Like I said, the left picks and chooses what to be outraged over.”
To be fair, only *some* of us are outraged over it. Personally, I think it’s a cagey political move on the part of Obama’s political team. They’ve clearly adopted the Rove tactic of going after your opponent’s strong points and undercutting them in any way possible.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:11 am
Maybe the left could do to Mitt what they did to Palin by going through his trash cans and having an entire newspaper staff read e-mails for a week only to come up with NUTHIN!!!!!!
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:12 am
” I think it’s a cagey political move on the part of Obama’s political team.”
And it’s not working. If it were, Obama would be way out in front instead of tied.
“They’ve clearly adopted the Rove tactic of going after your opponent’s strong points and undercutting them in any way possible.”
And if the economy was strong it would work. When Obama’s economic record is the worst since Jimmy Carters\’s, that strategy won’t work.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
10:13 am
Logic — “Maybe the left could do to Mitt what they did to Palin”
Come now; Governor Palin did *herself* in.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 2nd, 2012
10:13 am
Finn, I’d have to say that a Presidential nominee should be held at a minimum to the same standards we hold cabinet members, if not higher standards.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:13 am
“Jon Stewart plowed into Harry Reid hard last night.
And no one cares because Jon Stewart is an angry little man.
Erwin's cat
August 2nd, 2012
10:13 am
The majority of voters want to see those returns
No they don’t…only the left lunatic fringe
Brosephus™
August 2nd, 2012
10:13 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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXz5ZDrzX-w
Courtesy of Georgia’s own… Notice, he did say he had a plan to create private sector jobs. I don’t recall any plan being submitted yet. What gives?
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:14 am
“Come now; Governor Palin did *herself* in.”
You totally missed my point.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:15 am
“Notice, he did say he had a plan to create private sector jobs. I don’t recall any plan being submitted yet. What gives?”
Not sure what that video has to do with the president of the United States.
kayaker 71
August 2nd, 2012
10:15 am
JDW, 10:05,
And just what would you call a “fair share”? The top 1% of taxpayers pay 21.2% of all federal taxes paid. The top 2-5% pay 14.5%. The top 5% pays 36%. The Bottom 50% pays 2.98%. Do you call this fair?
St Simons - we're on Island time
August 2nd, 2012
10:16 am
how many jerbs did those jerb-creators create with that hoarded monay?
i mean that’s the Republican ‘logic’ and all, ‘don’t punish the jerb creators
Again, its not what’s illegal about Lord High Hair-gel’s (no) taxes,
its what’s SO WRONG about it being legal.
what a pickle.
If he doesn’t show them, he’ll be 10 pts down by Oct 1st,
If he does show them, it’ll be over that flippin day.
Maybe you guys should try to run out the clock, like Little Nero
with a Cowboy Hat did.
Either way, Four More Years. Prepare the Hope Camps.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:16 am
kayaker 71
Ever notice that the left never asks Obama, Kerry or the Clinton’s to ever pay their fair share?
Funny ain’t it.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:16 am
“Either way, Four More Years. Prepare the Hope Camps.”
I can’t wait to watch libs cry in their government funded beer.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
10:18 am
“He has only released one year, to the McCain campaign he released 23 years. And he’s telling the people, ‘I’m not going to give you what I gave John McCain’s people in 2008.’ And when he gave them 23 years, John McCain’s campaign looked at it and went, ‘Let’s go with Sarah Palin.’ So whatever’s in there is far worse than just the first year.”
I heard Mitt can be heard mumbling “make it go away…” more frequently these days. It’s up to Mitt. Release the Kracken, Mitt. I mean, release the returns, Mitt.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
10:19 am
Logic — “And it’s not working. If it were, Obama would be way out in front instead of tied.”
This is why I keep telling you to look at the EV map. Obama’s gained significantly since he took that route.
“And if the economy was strong it would work. When Obama’s economic record is the worst since Jimmy Carters\’s, that strategy won’t work.”
I don’t know how old you are, but I voted for Reagan in 1980, and he didn’t just hammer on how crappy Carter was. He laid out plans, he explained what he wanted to do and he gave DETAILS. He drew a clear choice between Carter’s poor policies and his own.
Romney hasn’t done that. He’s woefully short on details and specifics, and from what I can tell, he seems to be relying on voter discomfort with Obama’s policies to do all the heavy lifting for him. Well, for someone who’s light on foreign policy and military experience, I’d think Romney could at least lay out some details — but on the few occasions that he has, they get blown away.
An alleged business whiz like Romney shouldn’t have so much trouble putting out a detailed plan. And he should be getting better marks from economists when he does. Obama’s not doing a great job, but from what I can see, Romney’s all sizzle and no steak.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 2nd, 2012
10:19 am
Maybe the left could do to Mitt what they did to Palin by going through his trash cans and having an entire newspaper staff read e-mails for a week only to come up with NUTHIN!!!!!!
That’s on the to-do list.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
10:19 am
Logic — “You totally missed my point.”
Then please, by all means, elaborate.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
10:20 am
I can’t wait to watch libs cry in their government funded beer.
That GOP-approved AG bill is far-reaching.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 2nd, 2012
10:20 am
St. Simons… Hope Camps
And with recent changes in women’s healthcare, they should be even more fun, right? 
Cue the poutrage and the troll posts in 3….2…1….
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
10:21 am
Ever notice that the left never asks Obama, Kerry or the Clinton’s to ever pay their fair share?
Obama pays his fair share per his released tax returns.
Erwin's cat
August 2nd, 2012
10:22 am
Mitt is playing the left with the tax returns…
Income taxers of left are helping sway the independents toward Mitt
Brosephus™
August 2nd, 2012
10:22 am
Not sure what that video has to do with the president of the United States.
That doesn’t surprise me. That video was in response to the 2010 campaign on jobs. Your attempt to paint it as a presidential issue is only half the case. I’m merely pointing out that the president wasn’t the only one focused on creating jobs. The fact is, neither party has done jack.
That said, I’ll let y’all partisans do what y’all do best….
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:23 am
“Obama pays his fair share per his released tax returns.”
Double standard much?
kayaker 71
August 2nd, 2012
10:24 am
Probably the best all around president that we have ever had in this country was Harry Truman. David McCullough’s biography is a stunning read. Among other instances of humility that he exhibited was his refusal to accept free postage or charge for speeches given after he was out of the WH. He retired to his boyhood home in Independence, Mo with a yearly federal stipend of $17,500. Harry, we could sure use you now.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:24 am
“I heard Mitt can be heard mumbling “make it go away…” more frequently these days. It’s up to Mitt. Release the Kracken, Mitt. I mean, release the returns, Mitt.”
You should really post a link to the quote above that last remark, Numbers. Remember, Kyle doesn’t like it when people post something without the proper link.
Thanks
They BOTH suck
August 2nd, 2012
10:25 am
“And no one cares because Jon Stewart is an angry little man.”
He could be, but you were surely know about that
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:25 am
“This is why I keep telling you to look at the EV map. Obama’s gained significantly since he took that route.”
We’ll see come November.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:26 am
“That video was in response to the 2010 campaign on jobs. Your attempt to paint it as a presidential issue is only half the case.”
You responded to MY quote that Obama said in 2008 and 2009, Bro. Make sense?
St Simons - we're on Island time
August 2nd, 2012
10:27 am
‘government funded beer.’
no, dude. Those govt funds were diverted to the Snoop Dawg concert
on the white house lawn. It starts about 10 min after the polls close.
Saaaaang it – ’snoop dawwwwgy dawwwwg
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:27 am
“The fact is, neither party has done jack.”
Unemployment was MUCH lower under Bush for 8 years. I’d go with Bush over Obama any day of the week when it comes to the economy.
Your guys knows NOTHING about how the economy works.
“You didn’t build that, someone else did” -BHO
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:28 am
“He could be, but you were surely know about that”
English please.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:29 am
“Cue the poutrage and the troll posts”
Name calling alert! Name calling alert!
Brosephus™
August 2nd, 2012
10:29 am
You responded to MY quote that Obama said in 2008 and 2009, Bro. Make sense?
I responded to your quote that you were responding to someone else’s quote about conservatives. It makes perfect sense. I just didn’t want to go through the hassle of posting every post on that subject. That’s why I also included the quote you responded to. I didn’t just respond to your quote only. Go back and look.
They BOTH suck
August 2nd, 2012
10:29 am
“Unemployment was MUCH lower under Bush for 8 years. I’d go with Bush over Obama any day of the week when it comes to the economy.”
Has Jeb or Neil Bush entered the race?
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
10:30 am
Double standard much?
Given Mitt’s failure to release the comparable returns as President Obama, yes, there does appear to be a double standard at work.
They BOTH suck
August 2nd, 2012
10:30 am
Logic just like “Joseph” is too funny
Oblama
August 2nd, 2012
10:30 am
Birth certificate never produced…. what’s Obama hiding? You say nothing? Then I say Romney, ta records never produced….. what’s Romney hiding? Using your logic, I say nothing. Case closed. This election is not about birth certificates and tax records. It’s about the economy and who has a clue how to turn things around. Obama is a trial lawyer…….. knows little to nothing about economics. Like Samuel L. Jackson said in Ebony magazine “Obama has no (bleep, bleep ) plan to save the economy. I voted for him ’cause he’s black.” Fine, I ‘m voting for Romney but not ’cause he’s white but because Obama’s clueless.
They BOTH suck
August 2nd, 2012
10:31 am
Oblama
Still crying over the birth certificate bs?
But your not a “birther”, right?
JOE COOL............
August 2nd, 2012
10:32 am
Been a good little min since I’ve been on here…. I see the party has moved over here temporarily.
WHAT I miss?
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
10:33 am
“Given Mitt’s failure to release the comparable returns as President Obama, yes, there does appear to be a double standard at work.”
Like I said before, if Mitt hadn’t paid his taxes the IRS would have been after him decades ago.
Wake me up when you actually have proof of Mitt not paying taxes.