If elections were press conferences…
At left, a pro-TSPLOST event headlined by Gov. Nathan Deal. At right, a protest by the Transportation Leadership Council
TSPLOST supporters overwhelmed opponents on Monday in a set of dueling rallies at the state Capitol on Monday. Granted, one side did have Gov. Nathan Deal, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, and U.S. Reps. John Lewis and Hank Johnson — Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves and DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis, a dozen state lawmakers and the entire staff of the metro Chamber of Commerce.
In fact the only major political figure missing from the Capitol mix on the support side was House Speaker David Ralston. A spokesman said that a) Ralston had a previous engagement, and b) he’s been staying neutral on the TSPLOST question. Possibly it makes a difference that the 9th District congressional candidate that Ralston supports, Doug Collins of Gainesville, has declared himself in opposition.
The Transportation Leadership Coalition rally followed the Untie Atlanta event.
Though he won’t be traveling, Deal will be campaigning statewide for the transportation sales tax today. A satellite TV truck is parked outside the Capitol, to allow the governor to conduct interviews with local TV stations throughout the state.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter, or connect with me on Facebook.
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
134 comments Add your comment
Big Deal!
July 30th, 2012
4:51 pm
Opponents will show up where it really counts…at the polls…and have already done so in great numbers. The AJC and the other media outlets in bed with the tax and spend supporters of TSPLOST can take comfort from this photo at least for today. We’ll see who has the last laugh tomorrow.
Chris
July 30th, 2012
4:52 pm
Seriously people… Has the NAACP ever supported anything it did not fully concoct itself? They throw wrenches at everything just to hear themselves talk. And the Tea Party… While I can agree with a lot of what they stand for, a general blanket of no new taxes not even for a good reason is just silly and down right juvenile. They would decline a tax this small even if it would cure cancer. Use your own brains people, think of this from all angles and make the best decision, which is obviously to approve this and get us rolling again.
KaRon
July 30th, 2012
4:54 pm
Y’all anti t plost supporters are really lost…….When Marta wanted to go the the suberbs like it was atttended to do……It was voted down by Henry, Cobb, Clayton, and Gwinnett due to y’all not wanting African Americans and minioirties to come out there.That’s the real issue why Marta has not expanding to the likes of NY, DC, London rail lines……..Atlanta should charge the counties a tax for bringing in thier buses to the Marta stations and feel the pinch……this would have solve traffic long ago if you would have voted yes to the expansion….Now we are all paying the price…..
Davy
July 30th, 2012
4:56 pm
You show me in the law where every person employed by this will be an american citizen or has legal work permits and I’ll support it. Otherwise it’ll just be a big magnet for more illegal immigrants and we can’t afford them.
TDub
July 30th, 2012
4:57 pm
Those of you voting “no” do realize that the alternative is a pretty big helping of toll roads, right? It’s a flawed plan, but at least it’s a plan – and it has some very good components. And if the Republican Governor, Democratic Mayor, Coca-Cola and other major ATL corporations, Clark Howard, etc. are behind it, don’t you think you should look twice? Sometimes in order to make something better, you need to pay a little bit. Roads, transit, and pathways don’t magically appear out of thin air.
Glen
July 30th, 2012
5:03 pm
The Peach Pass ‘Lexus Lanes’ and the flip flop on the GA 400 toll make it pretty clear that government cannot be trusted to handle the money or the road decisions right now. I think a ‘NO’ vote will clarify to our elected officials that they need to straighten up and earn our trust. Maybe after that happens, I could vote yes.
Steve
July 30th, 2012
5:05 pm
Sorry folks, but the “too big to fail” argument doesn’t work anymore. Talking about the severity of the problem does not prove that the proposed solution will actually fix it.
I originally supported the TAD for the Beltline. Then, they took the original plan, which would have brought us a trolley in less than 5 years, slapped their grandiose vision on it, and now the train is not projected to be complete for 20 years.
The definition of insanity is to repeat the same action and expect a different result. No, that is not jaded; it’s simple reality. Unless the players are different, there’s no reason to expect a different game.
This tax does not bring about change, it brings on more of the same.
MARTA
July 30th, 2012
5:17 pm
Since the Majority of the T-SPLOST is going to MARTA I think this bears the label of taxation without representation. In know way is the current MARTA Board of Directors a fair representation of the area Marta supports.
Marta Board memebers Frederick L. Daniels, Jr. of DeKalb County, Barbara Babbit Kaufman of Fulton County, Harold Buckley, Sr. of DeKalb County, Juanita Jones Abernathy of the City of Atlanta you do not represent me. Why should I give you my money?
Additionally Ed Lindsey of Atlanta said he was willing to push a bill to remove spending restrictions on MARTA–if the transit authority would agree to some changes in the makeup of its board of directors, and who appoints them. House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams tells the true tale about giving up control when she says “You can bring north Fulton into the conversation without giving north Fulton and north DeKalb control of the board” meaning you can talk, but you can’t have a seat at the Marta Board, but give us the money anyways. If we can’t have representation on the MARTA board. No representation well then you aren’t getting my money. No to the T-SPLOST and no to everything MARTA until we have fair representation.
Church of the painful Truth
July 30th, 2012
5:18 pm
60 years ago a past Georgia Governor Marvin Griffin had roads built to no where. He put money into his buddies pockets and did nothing for Georgia traffic or transportation.He also had his brother as the State Purchasing Director during this time to issue state contracts. Sounds like the same but different players. One for the Money,two for the show,three to get ready and vote NO,NO,NO.
adam
July 30th, 2012
5:28 pm
Two good reasons to vote against T-Splost: 1. Kasim Reed is for it which means it’s all for the City of Atlanta at the expense of Metro taxpayers. All the Mega billion dollar Corporations which require Metro Residents to trudge through 1 hour traffic to get to work should pay. 2. Nathan Deal is for it which means his pockets will be well lined with plenty of T-Splost money.
Mike Lowry
July 30th, 2012
5:29 pm
Jim, the Vote No group is supported by working citizens, who, surprisingly, are at work on Mondays. The Vote Yes group are being paid for their support.
Truth
July 30th, 2012
6:01 pm
Don’t listen to the lies that if you vote no, your property taxes will go up. In Cobb, we listened to that, so we vote yes to our on county SPLOST and then what did our commissioners do….they raised our property taxes anyway. We have enough taxes. It’s time for the elected lenders to cut spending and live within their budget like the rest of us don’t. If not, it’s time to vote them out!
Donna
July 30th, 2012
6:03 pm
The T-Splost will do nothing to improve Atlanta’s traffic on I-285, I-75 and I-85, there are too many cars and no alternatives. Expanding MARTA in order to get to the VA, CDC, and Emory Hospital does nothing to get automobiles off the roads. If you want to see a fairly good transit system try Washington, DC – you don’t need an automobile to get around. Expand the transit system from Macon, Douglasville, Rockdale and Kennesaw maybe then we can talk T-Splost – VOTE NO!
no dice
July 30th, 2012
6:15 pm
The biggest problem with this is the regionalism — the vote structure takes away home rule. Why, if everyone in my county votes no, should I be forced to pay a tax voted on by another county? This is taking away our county sovereignty.
More people should be outraged over this very un-American approach. The people under the gold dome need a Civics 101 class to understand liberty and the form of government our Founders gave us.
I would vote have to vote NO even if I liked the bill soley because this is un-American.
RGB
July 30th, 2012
6:16 pm
It’s disgusting that the people who attended the pro-T-SPLOST event were largely government employees.
So we taxpayers funded the pro-TAX rally. There should be a prohibition against government employees participating in such events during the business hours they are paid to work.
Every government employee attending this “rally” should have to remit back to taxpayers an entire day’s wages. Further, they should be placed on unpaid leave for an additional 2 week period.
And the other group represented at the faux rally was comprised of those individuals who will benefit from having our taxes raised.
Does anybody doubt that the “10-year tax” won’t last permanently–or that politicians won’t develop the need for another tax (”It’s just a penny”).
Finally, Deal said he wouldn’t support tax increases if elected. Notwithstanding his drivel about his being entitled to free speech: Deal lied.
Bob Decker
July 30th, 2012
6:21 pm
We should be doing the opposite, Georgia should lower taxes, eliminate state taxes all together and make it all up by opening 20 large top of the line full blown casino’s, horse racing facilities, and poker establishments, all of the jobs would go to the local people first. Thats what I would do if I was Gov, and I would tell the Church people of the state that balked to take your Sunday offerings to the casino and try to double your money, drinks are on the house!!!!
RGB
July 30th, 2012
6:24 pm
So “Bob Decker”,
In addition to “Church people”, are there any other groups you enjoy deriding and mocking?
You’ll understand if I pass on your tax policy advice. Google “Mississippi”.
vote
July 30th, 2012
6:25 pm
Its sort of funny- the groupt tha says vote yes implies it will create jobs. The NAACP say vote no–sounds like someone doesnt want to go to work
Bob Decker
July 30th, 2012
6:34 pm
So RGB, the Church’s rake in more money then casino’s, which is why there is a Church on every corner. Why should I google Mississippi?, let’s google Nevada!!!! Mississippi is a backwards state worse then Alabama and Georgia, but those 3 are at the bottom.
Vote-No
July 30th, 2012
6:40 pm
I don’t trust the legislators. I don’t believe the GDOT has a clue about resolving the traffic problems. If the legislators were to stand by their word, then Gov Neal would not need to dangle the “remove the GA 400 toll” to get T-SPLOST passed. The toll would have been lifted years ago. Therefore, I will be voting NO.
Bob Decker
July 30th, 2012
6:42 pm
By the way, if you want to cut Atlanta traffic back by 25%, make all school kids take the bus to school instead of have mommy and daddy take them, especially in north fulton. These soccer moms clog the road ways up every morning for no reason, they do not work and they take their brat kids to school, then they pick the brats up, it clogs up Holcomb Bridge Rd, Mansell, Haynes Bridge and many more roads for miles. Plus they yap on the phone the entire time these soccer snob moms calling other snob moms on the roads making some plans to meet when they are done.
Republican Tired of the Tea Party
July 30th, 2012
6:43 pm
Go ahead and vote no, your unemployment check will still arrive in the mail. Don’t worry.
Bob Decker
July 30th, 2012
7:00 pm
and to : KaRon
July 30th, 2012
4:54 pm
If the people that would be coming to the suburbs talk and spell like you, I personally would not be too excited about the rail line extension out to the suburbs.
Jeff
July 30th, 2012
7:08 pm
I really don’t mind all the automated telephone calls by the proponents of TSPLOST but why are they from out of state numbers? Is this where the money will be going if it passes?
no no no
July 30th, 2012
7:27 pm
DO THE RIGHT THING AND VOTE NO!
Because it’s the right thing to do.
Why bring more people, traffic, smog, and price inflation to Atlanta?
Let Charlotte have our “growth,” i.e. misery.
dlldavid
July 30th, 2012
7:57 pm
I will bet on this. If the TSPLOST does not pass, next year, the toll booth on highway 400 will not be removed. These politicians are the dirtiest.
HENRY
July 30th, 2012
7:58 pm
VOTE NO TO DEFEAT THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN GEORGIA HISTORY. IN SOME COUNTIES IT WILL BE 2 CENTS, NOT ONE. I DON’T TRUST THE GOVERNMENT WITH ANYTHING. GA400 IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THIS TAX INCREASE IS APPROVED. NAME ONE TAX THAT HAS SUNSET………..THERE ISN’T ONE.
RGB
July 30th, 2012
7:59 pm
Bob,
When you learn proper English, I’ll Google Nevada. Until then, you possess little credibility.
“casino’s”? “then”
C’mon man, you can do better “then” that.
Rick658
July 30th, 2012
8:04 pm
The silence from the no more taxes crowd is deafening..these arguments seems like a bunch of black vs white to me or worse, a politicians slush fund. jobs? for who ? not S Dekalb. We pay 2 cents and others pay 1 cent. what rocket scientist is going to vote for this? I want to see Atlanta grow and prosper like all my fellow atlantans but this strikes me as a bad thing. Maybe something for the mayor and his contributors but not so much for the bus and train riders.
Bob Decker
July 30th, 2012
8:11 pm
RGB, misspelling cassino is not “a proper english” problem RGB, its called a misspelled word! Usually when someone is losing a debate, they usually resort to finding a spelling error somewhere and say, “thats all”. My english is fine, my typing is not! So now you can google the success of Nevada, and all of the money that town has made via taxes.
RGB
July 30th, 2012
10:25 pm
Bob,
You STILL missed it.
Google regressive taxation…and move to Vegas. You’ll fit right in.
And good luck finding a job in Vegas–the unemployment rate is 12.2%
Oh, but that can’t be true. The casinos (or as you put it, strangely, “casino’s”) solve all fiscal problems. Or should it be “problem’s” Bob?
Mild Mannered Moderate
July 31st, 2012
3:10 am
I had planned on voting against TSPLOST, but because the person named “Marta” above lied about the majority of funds going to Marta, I am changing my vote.
Your lie upset me sufficiently that I am changing my vote. I want you to know that you, personally, through your post, changed my mind on this. And it was very firmly in the ‘no’ category, but if you are going to blame MARTA with your lies, then I’ll just make you suffer consequences for it.
gary
July 31st, 2012
11:00 am
T-SPLOST opponents have to work for a living and to pay taxes. Many of the TSPLOST supporters will be the beneficiaries of those tax payments if it passes
Jack Staver
July 31st, 2012
12:30 pm
Look at the money raised Mild Mannered. $7 Million vs $20 Thousand and real spirit not money. This whole thing is about economic development not a transportation referendum. It is just another lie, “if we don’t do it now”, or ” we won’t have another chance” all the same hype. They can’t even tell you it’s a stimulus package, they have to lie and call it transportation. If it is so good why do you have to spend $7M to sell it? The truth can be painful and the truth is that this election cycle will help clean out some of the dead wood.