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
JDW
August 1st, 2012
1:39 pm
@Logic…”Libs can mock Romney and white people all they want but without the white vote, Obama is a one term president.”
Guess you missed the news…the lead is growing…
http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/08/poll-obama-leads-romney-in-three-swing-states-130728.html?hp=l9
Stephenson Billings
August 1st, 2012
1:39 pm
Kyle, that’s what I thought. Saw it stated both ways in various places, even the official website fact sheet. Kind of confusing.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
1:39 pm
“Comprehension requires understanding that “St. Ronnie” is not intended to mock Reagan but rather the glorification of him by the GOP and the invocation of his name as their “god.” But keep trying, one day you may get one of these right.”
So…St Ronnie is not mocking Reagan, huh? Ok.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
1:40 pm
“the lead is growing”
NY Times poll!!! HAHAHAHAHA
md
August 1st, 2012
1:41 pm
It’s both 1% and 1 cent……as the cent is usually in reference to 1% of every dollar.
JDW
August 1st, 2012
1:41 pm
@KUTGF…”you mean “Government is the problem” from St. Ronnie has, in great part, landed all of us in this absurd situation? ”
I believe you have identified the root cause…which was then exacerbated by Newt…and has been perfected by Grover/Rush et al.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 1st, 2012
1:41 pm
See, Logic… you are beginning to comprehend. Now here, hold this grasshopper.
Erwin's cat
August 1st, 2012
1:42 pm
They tried to sell it as a penny tax to the uneducated
middle of the road
August 1st, 2012
1:43 pm
Stephenson Billings -I am trying to decide if your posts are tongue in cheek…
The T-SPLOST tax would have been 1 penney per dollar, that means every dollar that you spend on things with sales tax on them (cars, groceries, TVs) would be taxes an extra cent per dollar. That is the same as saying 1% (1 cent = 1% of a dollar.
For our county, it would be going from 7% sales tax to 8% sales tax – approximately a 14.3% increase (1 divided by 7).
hmmm
August 1st, 2012
1:43 pm
“Which is why I still think we’ll see a re-vote in a couple of years. As far as I know, every other city/region in other states that has tried this approach voted it down the first time, only to approve it the next go-around” – Kyle W
“Gov. Nathan Deal said Wednesday that he had no interest in revisiting a regional transportation tax after a plan for a 1-cent sales tax was resoundingly rejected by voters.
Deal also poured cold water on the idea of levying a new gas or hotel tax to make up the revenue….
As for the possibility of reviving the 1-cent regional sales tax, his answer was unequivocal.
“I have no interest in that,” he said. “I think the public has expressed their opinion on that. I see no sense in revisiting an issue that the public has rather resoundingly expressed their opinion on.”" -Deal
Kyle was big time wrong. Oh well, now people will just suffer in traffic. Have fun morons.
Newnandawg
August 1st, 2012
1:44 pm
Our “Conservative” Senators Isakson and Chambliss also supported the TSPLOST tax.
Do you think they’d support a new Federal “one penny tax” on the rich? Nope.
Crooks….one and all.
Congratulations GA Voters.
Eat a Peach
August 1st, 2012
1:46 pm
“Obama came to mind when I read that sentence.”
You mean when he worked with Republicans to extend the current tax rates?
Is that what came to mind?
When he increased the drone attacks?
Is that what came to mind?
Stephenson Billings
August 1st, 2012
1:46 pm
Md, it’s still a bit confusing and deceptive. A 1penny splost tax, like the one that gets passed all the time in Gwinnett and other counties for their schools and roads, is a lot different than increasing the sales tax by 1%. It’s the difference of a total cost of $10.61 to $10.70 (if buying something that costs $10 with a 6% sales tax).
getalife
August 1st, 2012
1:47 pm
Erwin.
Are you blind?
Eat a Peach
August 1st, 2012
1:47 pm
Erwin’s Cat
Did you vote for Deal or any of the other Republicans who pushed the TSPOLST?
Kyle Wingfield
August 1st, 2012
1:47 pm
Stephenson @ 1:39: It was often stated by supporters as a “penny” sales tax to make it sound less imposing. Of course, it is a penny — on every dollar you spend that’s subject to sales tax.
Eat a Peach
August 1st, 2012
1:50 pm
Kyle @ 1:47
Subtle marketing. Can be seen and heard every day. Politicians just take the clue from the advertising folks who do it for a living.
Well on the other hand, I guess some politicians do the same for a living as well.
JDW
August 1st, 2012
1:51 pm
@Logic…”NY Times poll!!! HAHAHAHAHA”
Wow check out Karl Rove…he understands
http://rove.com/election
Jose
August 1st, 2012
1:51 pm
kyle
its trickery
the 1% is not the EFFECTIVE tax rate you pay
look at Numbers post with the calculations
they didnt want to admit it was a tax raise of 12-15% depending on where you live or buy things
just like a rich person in the 35% tax bracket is dumb……… their actual tax rate is lower if they use the loopholes and usually pay much less………
TAXES ARE THE MODERN TOOLS OF SLAVERY AND CONTROL…………. governments use them to allocate POWER
jj
August 1st, 2012
1:51 pm
Sonny is gone, Now it’s time to hold Gena Evans and the SRTA accountable for destroying confidence in Georgia’s public officials. She did a world of good to my commute in Gwinnett County with her lexus lanes. Abolish the SRTA.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
1:57 pm
“You mean when he worked with Republicans to extend the current tax rates?”
LOLOL!!!!!!!! Obama extended the BUSH tax cuts. The same cuts he claimed he was NOT going to extend.
You libs are too funny.
Jose
August 1st, 2012
1:58 pm
GA TAX RATES
6% income tax
6-8% sales tax
approx 30cents per gallon
yet we see Florida and Texas thrive with SALES TAX ONLY……………..
stands for decibels
August 1st, 2012
1:58 pm
I found an old Bookman column from 7 years ago and found that you posted on it.
hmm… so you’re just a noob here, Logic?
Centrist
August 1st, 2012
1:58 pm
No kidding. I rarely bother to comment here since I usually agree to the common sense.
Over at the lefist Political Insider, Galloway is avoiding the TSPLOST debacle and celebrating the few liberal wins and giving support to Kasim Reed. I’m done with that leftist blog.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
1:59 pm
“See, Logic… you are beginning to comprehend. Now here, hold this grasshopper.”
tick…tick…tick….
curious
August 1st, 2012
1:59 pm
At least Obama recognized the mistake of extending the tax cuts.
They haven’t worked up to now, so let’s try something different.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
1:59 pm
“hmm… so you’re just a noob here, Logic?”
Just wanted to make a point that some folks have been posting on the AJC blogs for a very long time.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
2:00 pm
“Are you blind?”
Hate speech.
Skip
August 1st, 2012
2:00 pm
I see math must be an elective in Georgia high schools.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 1st, 2012
2:03 pm
Here’s a good example of why we want the government gone-
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) — The U.S. Government won’t explain, but a 9 News Now investigation has found $30 million in unreported bonuses for fiscal year 2011 – making the already troubled General Services Administration’s total bonus pool nearly $44 million.
Where’s the Occupy protest for this, mealy mouths?
Jose
August 1st, 2012
2:03 pm
Logic was never intended for libs
August 1st, 2012
2:00 pm
“Are you blind?”
Hate speech.
sorry logic……….. i will be stealing your line
there are so many things it can be applied too
The Snark
August 1st, 2012
2:05 pm
One of your best columns yet, Kyle.
Big D
August 1st, 2012
2:06 pm
OMG! Just back from getting lunch at Chick fil A. That was the most people this part of Georgia has seen since the Union Army marched through here on the way to Kennesaw Mountain. It took more than an hour just to get up to the window to order. About a quarter mile line outside of the shopping center, then another couple of hundred yards to their property then twice around the building. Reminded me of the people cues at Disney Land. People were leaving with bags of Chick fil A. I saw many give up and leave as I was tempted to do, but I was on a mission to show the loons that this is America and people have the right to their opinions.
Dumb and Dumber
August 1st, 2012
2:06 pm
The TSPLOST failed because it was designed to failed by Sonny Perdue. Mission accomplished.
Now lets see the Nathan and the GOPers under the Dome address infrastructure — after 10 years of GOP rule the only transportation infrastructure project in metro Atlanta has been turning an HOV lane into a toll lane at the cost of $110 million in federal funds. Nice effort.
Saw an interesting story this morning on the news about how Nathan Deal is taking millions from a settlement about mortgage fraud to fund economic development in rural areas, but he is not willing to spend one cent to alleviate the mess caused by bankers in metro Atlanta (including Cobb and Gwinnett) to help homeowners.
Nice to have a Governor who cares so little about metro Atlanta — but no worries, he will be overwhelmingly reelected in Cobb and Gwinnett anyway.
Joe Mama
August 1st, 2012
2:06 pm
I Report — “Where’s the Occupy protest for this, mealy mouths?”
Riiiiiiiight next the the Tea Party protest for it.
Joe Mama
August 1st, 2012
2:09 pm
Big D — “I saw many give up and leave as I was tempted to do, but I was on a mission to show the loons that this is America and people have the right to their opinions.”
If no one tried to stop you or otherwise dissuade you from eating there, then how, exactly, was your opinion at stake?
Some people choose to eat there. Some people don’t. Sounds like personal opinions at work to me.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 1st, 2012
2:10 pm
a natural disaster happens do any one see business handing out checks to help people?
No, business is smarter than that. They know that cash draws a big crowd, containing many who have not suffered, but just need some lottery money. Business is usually involved in cooking food, supplying generators, providing medical supplies, and organizing people to help those truly in need.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 1st, 2012
2:10 pm
We understand you want govt gone. Of course, food-borne illnesses are not decreasing and in some cases are increasing. Millions of Americans are getting sick as efforts to frustate the implementation of the new law and inspections are blocked. But hey, sure, no government is best.
So much for those kids and adults. 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/food-borne-illnesses-not-diminishing-cdc-finds/2012/07/28/gJQAaFGxGX_story.html
Erwin's cat
August 1st, 2012
2:10 pm
Eat a Peach 0- Did you vote for Deal or any of the other Republicans who pushed the TSPOLST?
yes over Barnes in a minute…as I rule I vote against every incumbent when possible…and always vote for any 3rd party candidate in the primaries …what’s you’re point?
Erwin's cat
August 1st, 2012
2:11 pm
get – no not blind, I still see +8% unemployment…what do you see?
md
August 1st, 2012
2:12 pm
“A 1penny splost tax, like the one that gets passed all the time in Gwinnett and other counties for their schools and roads, is a lot different than increasing the sales tax by 1%. ”
No, those in gwinnett were also 1% of every dollar. The sales tax rate goes up by 1% for the time period specified, then it returns to the old rate (unless more was added in the interim).
Trish
August 1st, 2012
2:14 pm
I find it hard to give credit for the defeat of the TSPLOST to any group or party. I have 53 years of experience to back up my vote yesterday— state and federal level politicians (how I hate generalizations, but in this case, I stand by it) have deliberately lied, misrepresented themselves, or haven’t known enough about the process involved in fulfilling a promise made, for as long as I’ve been following politics and government. I don’t feel the need to give them any more of the money I work so hard for when I watch many of the dollars taken already misused.
Centrist
August 1st, 2012
2:14 pm
curious posted “At least Obama recognized the mistake of extending the tax cuts.”
Do you think there is ,b>any chance at all that the current tax rates will expire on 1/1/2013, or the top rate increased?
Hint: Even if Obama is re-elected, he and Congress are not going to go over the fiscal cliff of across the board tax bracket increases. Congress is not going to go along with the class warfare electioneering (once again by Obama) of increasing the top rate on those productive professional families and small business owners earning over $200/$250K.
Jeffrey
August 1st, 2012
2:14 pm
Good one Kyle. I wonder if these guys will listen. If they don’t I think they’ll be gone in the next vote.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 1st, 2012
2:15 pm
Centrist
Welcome aboard! I’m sure the loons over there will not miss you, as they like to pat each other on the back and you are just a distraction.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 1st, 2012
2:18 pm
All the tax cuts will be extended, regardless of who wins. Obama is just playing to his unintelligent base, with the wealth envy.
No intelligent person believes that raising taxes, while in an economic depression, is a good idea. The economy is not growing, enough to create jobs as it is. What would happen to unemployment if you raise taxes on the top 2 to 3 % of the small businesses that create most of the jobs?
Gimme Gimme Gimme
August 1st, 2012
2:19 pm
Rafe – “I’m sure the loons over there will not miss you, as they like to pat each other on the back and you are just a distraction.”
That was funny and accurate.
Jose
August 1st, 2012
2:20 pm
KYLE wrote
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
its not puzzling…………. conservatives will not follow BLINDLY whatever REPUBLICANS do………. they promise fiscal responsibility and dont act on it CONSERVATIVES TAKE ACTION
LIBERALS JUST ACCEPT ALL TAX RAISES AND ALL NON-DEFENSE SPENDING!
Big D
August 1st, 2012
2:22 pm
Joe Mama
August 1st, 2012
2:09 pm
Big D — “I saw many give up and leave as I was tempted to do, but I was on a mission to show the loons that this is America and people have the right to their opinions.”
If no one tried to stop you or otherwise dissuade you from eating there, then how, exactly, was your opinion at stake?
Some people choose to eat there. Some people don’t. Sounds like personal opinions at work to me.
Joe, I guess you forgot today is the day your left leaning buddies called for a boycott of Chick-fil-A because their CEO stated exactly the same thing as Barack Obama did prior to his recent desperate attempt at getting a couple of votes. Today has been a thumb in the loons eyes. LOL.
@@
August 1st, 2012
2:22 pm
I picked up a grilled chicken salad at Chik-Fil-A. I’ve already had my annual peach milkshake. Here in Clayton County (home of the Cathy’s) it was jam packed.
My husband wanted me to wait until he got home so we could swap slobber in public. Tacky, tacky, tacky.
I can imagine all the little kids saying…
ew