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
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134 comments Add your comment
Auntie Christ
July 30th, 2012
12:45 pm
CAN YOU SEE THE CHANGE?
What’s altered in the two photos? Play the Find 5 Challenge
Ga Values VOTE NO FOR WASTE, GRAFT & CORRUPTION
July 30th, 2012
12:45 pm
Looks like I’m first AGAIN.. The name says it all….VOTE NO TOMORROW
Right on
July 30th, 2012
12:48 pm
The Sierra Club, the NAACP, and the Tea Party all say to vote NO. That should tell you something.
jonzealy
July 30th, 2012
12:48 pm
Yea, that’s what happens when the overseerers make their staffers hold signs, actuall tax payers have to work. TSPLOST…Enough already.
NO TSPLOST !!!
July 30th, 2012
12:50 pm
One of the biggest messes in GEORGIA! NO TO T-SPLOST ! Do not help them UNTIE the TIED UP MESS that “they” TIED UP to begin with!!!!! NO NO TO T-SPLAT!!
Marlboro Man
July 30th, 2012
12:52 pm
Looks like it will pass.
Dustin
July 30th, 2012
12:53 pm
I guess all the others opposed to this (which is an overwhelming majority) boondoggle legislation were busy working and couldn’t make it.
NO TSPLOST !!!
July 30th, 2012
12:55 pm
To Right On: The Governor, public officials, chambers, mayors, and most importantly the DEVELOPERS all say to vote yes…well that should “tell you something” – VOTE NO
TO T-SPLOST – they are not trusted !!!!!!!! Take the massives $$$$ they have taken from GA 400 Tolls and I-85 HOT lanes (both debacles) and use that !!!!!
NO TO T-SPLOST !!!
If elections were press conferences… – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | politicsandpolls-com
July 30th, 2012
12:56 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
if you vote no don't drive
July 30th, 2012
12:56 pm
I love the idiots who espouse about corruption and waste in “Big Government”. The same government that managed to build EVERYTHING you use ever day of your life.
So if you want to vote no, don’t drive on our roads. If you vote no to a SALES tax, you’ll be saying yes to higher property taxes. Because in the end, the roads need solving, especially out in the burbs. Lucky for me I don’t drive out there. Have fun guys.
Donaldo
July 30th, 2012
12:57 pm
If these people knew the solution, my question is why not start years ago. This is all a band aid approach with very little accountability. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice…..Where have these people been?????
Mike Stucka
July 30th, 2012
12:58 pm
Auntie Christ: What’s changed between the photos? You mean, the difference in where the sunlight’s coming from, which tells you they’re two different locations?
if you vote no don't drive
July 30th, 2012
12:58 pm
to NO TSPLOTS you do realize that this has nothing to do with toll roads and major interstates right?
Going Right
July 30th, 2012
12:59 pm
600 mil for the “Beltline?” (AKA: easy on-off for a trip to the King Memorial)…What does THAT show you? As usual, “ANTI-Christ” is off on another trans-intergalactic journey with his/her games and can’t be taken seriously. Yawn.
Judge Smails
July 30th, 2012
1:00 pm
If I had the notion that the money would be well spent with a great deal of oversight and local control… maybe. But once this money gets into the hands of the political machine in Atlanta, it will be used to curry favor, reward incompetence and get people elected.
Not only NO, but HE@@ NO!!!
nodda troll
July 30th, 2012
1:04 pm
I wonder if they same people who are voting NO now are the same people who voted to keep MARTA out of the suburbs, contributing to this mess by keeping people on the roads. Atlanta has the longest commute times in the country.
My solution would be to put a wall around Atlanta and charge $10 every time you want to come in.
gadem
July 30th, 2012
1:05 pm
Its funny that I have been seeing ads endorsing the tax by invoking the name of Reagan…endorsed by Republicans. I thought taxes were bad. Darn socialists republicans want to take my money to support infrastructure that I utilize!
no name
July 30th, 2012
1:07 pm
There is a big stone monument at the bottom of the right (anti) photo. Why isn’t that stone monument in the left (pro) photo?
Bob Decker
July 30th, 2012
1:09 pm
I think what Atlanta should do about traffic is encourage people to leave the state, explain to them its over, the boom Atlanta was from 1980 thru 2006 is over, its now an over populated area with zero job opportunities and morons running the city. Its a backwards state that tries harder to fill church seats on Sundays vs stadium seats for local sports teams. Its a state that makes changes usually 25 years after New York does, ie the state lottery which started up north back in the late 60’s and 70’s, here mid 1990’s. I say to all, get out if you can, find work elsewhere.
Road Scholar
July 30th, 2012
1:10 pm
GA Values: Wrong again!
TSPLOST ALL OVER YOU CHEAP FACES
July 30th, 2012
1:11 pm
This is will pass, I think Atlanta has a lot more brighter voters than the trolls present here.
MARK IT DOWN!
Right on
July 30th, 2012
1:11 pm
Well, according to the ads, the people who oppose want toll roads and do not care about their kids and do not agree with Reagan. They will say just about anything to grub that money.
The Sierra Club, a pro transit entity, says to VOTE NO on this thing.
VOTE YES!!!
July 30th, 2012
1:13 pm
@Judge Smails. READ THE LAW! There are numerous oversight methods in place. Much more the fuel tax, which is what will raise if this fails. Great logic.
Frankie
July 30th, 2012
1:13 pm
so tell us what were the “improvements” that took place over the last 18 years plus supposed to do.
They put in a light at the on ramp on 285 and all it does is create more traffic. But that was supposed to be an improvement.
In stead of having clover leaf on and off ramps we have right on rampsa and left turn on ramps which cause wrong way drivers and slow moving traffic again on the surface streets.
TSPLOST ALL OVER YOUR CHEAP FACES
July 30th, 2012
1:13 pm
This just in, time to catch up with the rest of the nation, transit wise. Racist black Democrats and tea party ding bats ARE not the majority of Georgia voters.
Frankie
July 30th, 2012
1:14 pm
how about extend the emissions testing to not just the 10 surround atl counties…. make everyone pay after all don’t theycome o atl sometimes too..
Frankie
July 30th, 2012
1:16 pm
so the add says that other major cities have done this and releived traffic issues.. WHAT CITIES ARE THEY REFERING TOO….
None of the major cities i have been to have any traffic releif.
VOTE YES!!!
July 30th, 2012
1:18 pm
@Frankie, Denver, Charlotte, Tampa, Jacksonville.
Doug B
July 30th, 2012
1:23 pm
“Right on
July 30th, 2012
12:48 pm
The Sierra Club, the NAACP, and the Tea Party all say to vote NO. That should tell you something.”
Yeah, that tells me to vote YES.
KrystalsBalls
July 30th, 2012
1:25 pm
@iyvndd
Everyone knows the government “doesn’t create jobs”, or “build anything”. Just ask these wingnuts, they will tell you just like Rush Limbaugh told them. He told them when attacking the EDITED Obama “you didn’t build that” speech from a couple weeks ago that the internet was actually “created by the military”. He told them the internet was a “D.O.D. project”. Of course they are so DUMB, they swished gurgled and swallowed.So when are we going to tell them all that there is no bigger GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT with a larger budget than the Department of Defense??!!! When are we going to tell them that Lockheed Martin, Boeing, etc will hand out pink slips as soon as these clowns in Congress play politics and allow those sequestration cuts to take place. Why? Their paychecks come via GOVERNMENT MONEY! “Job creators” my —!
Sensible
July 30th, 2012
1:27 pm
As a Black Man, I deeply offended by the thought that someone tells me to vote against something because they don’t think that black contractors will get their “Fair Share” of the work from this tax. I want to make sure that these leaders are asking me to make sure nobody gets anything, because the think that people who look like me will not get their fair share? I’m sorry, I’m not going to ruin it for everyone, just on the possibility that someone might not get their fair share. What about the share black contractors do get? We really have to progress past this mentality, and let the chips fall where they do, at least someone gets some work, and we all get better transportation, and anyone can take out business permit, and attempt to benefit from the new infrastructure. I think it might be time for some new leadership.
Judge Smails
July 30th, 2012
1:27 pm
@ VOTE YES – Yes, I read the law. It still has to be implemented and administered to by the incompetent and corrupt politicians in Atlanta. Much of the extra revenue will simply disappear into the hands of cronies and “pet projects”. If I were to say what I really think…my post would not make it through the filter. Notice the word “Atlanta”. There is a (not so) hidden meaning there.
Hey, Bob Decker !!
July 30th, 2012
1:30 pm
Delta is ready when you are! And by the way, vote NO to the TSPLOST – the Deal, Reed, Eaves, Ellis, Cagle, Lewis, Johnson, etc. campaign contributors are also the direct recipients of the lucrative TSPLOST contracts – stinks to high heaven – if it passes, lawsuits will ensue!!
Right on
July 30th, 2012
1:31 pm
It should tell you that, if you believe in transit, you should vote no.
Mike Geigerman
July 30th, 2012
1:32 pm
Vote .. only because we can spend our money in a better more eeficient way.. Special interests trying to force our hands. Neutral outside parties don’t believe our leaders and neither do I. I am
voting NO tomorrow.
Death to the T-SPLOST!
July 30th, 2012
1:32 pm
Yeah, Jim. But how many people in the PRO shot were paid to be there? The only YES buttons and signs I see are on the road builders, Metro Chamber midless boosters and others trying to steal billions from poor people and the middle class and give to the sprawl machine. Let’s hope the people of Georgia realize that HB 277 that created the T-SPLOSTs was the biggest stealing bill in the history of Georgia.
dahreese
July 30th, 2012
1:41 pm
I’m usually a “Yes” voter on progressive issues, but this one is a loser.
You don’t have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.
Weetamoe
July 30th, 2012
1:44 pm
That *you didn’t build that* sneering contemptuous Roanoke speech was not edited and to prove it republicans should (and might) play the entire speech in a continuous loop from now until the election.
Mild Mannered Moderate
July 30th, 2012
1:45 pm
Here is the only thing you need to know: Do you trust Nathan Deal to spend this money wisely?
Personally I think that since both sides support this then it must be good. Nathan Deal AND Kasim Reed think its a good idea and since its both sides it must be good! Both sides. Two dollars. Both sides.
Auntie Christ
July 30th, 2012
1:47 pm
no name July 30th, 2012 1:07 pm: “There is a big stone monument at the bottom of the right (anti) photo. Why isn’t that stone monument in the left (pro) photo?”
That’s one of those stone monuments with the Ten Commandments carved in it, It was removed by the “pro” bunch because deal, cagle, et al didn’t want to be reminded that they shouldn’t steal, commit adultery, covet their neighbor’s ass, and worship gold.
OTP
July 30th, 2012
1:49 pm
I have never known anything to be put up to a vote more DOA than this.
Going Right
July 30th, 2012
1:50 pm
40 Mil for Gwinnett Transit System? Buses filled with air and not passengers?
Oh, forgot to yawn for ANTI_Christ and her/his blatherings and cursing.
Mild Mannered Moderate
July 30th, 2012
1:53 pm
Going right is mean. I feel sad for him. Both sides should come together and be nice. Both sides. Two dollars. Both sides.
Judge Smails
July 30th, 2012
1:59 pm
Oh Yea, Why in the world is Rally the Brave in with the Yes guys? The Atlanta Stadium Authority sued to not have Marta go directly to both Braves stadiums. They thought (rightly) that they would lose their parking “golden goose”.
Just another example of the Atlanta politicians protecting their own without regard to how ALL of Metro Atlanta is affected.
Simple
July 30th, 2012
1:59 pm
T Bag is going down……..
Right on
July 30th, 2012
1:59 pm
“Personally I think that since both sides support this then it must be good. Nathan Deal AND Kasim Reed think its a good idea and since its both sides it must be good! Both sides. Two dollars. Both sides.”
Actually, both side reject the T-Splost. The conservative Tea Party and the progressive and more liberal Sierra Club as well as the NAACP. It is a regressive tax after all, and it’s a mostly wasteful, ineffective plan. The Sierra Club, a pro transit entity, says it doesn’t do enough and recommends a NO VOTE.
Auntie Christ
July 30th, 2012
2:00 pm
Wee wee wee all the way home Moe said July 30th, 2012 1:44 pm: “That *you didn’t build that* sneering contemptuous Roanoke speech…..”
Sneering and contemptuous. You must have missed your meds that day, hence your paranoid delusion of a sneering and contemptuous President. Funny how no one else saw it that way, (except maybe your fellow paranoid delusionals.) Or maybe you self medicated, and that caused your delusion. Were the flowers outside your window dancing? Did a giant white rabbit appear at your door? Did the mad hatter offer to have tea with you?
Mild Mannered Moderate
July 30th, 2012
2:00 pm
You’re right Judge Smails. Both sides are at fault for not looking out for Metro Atlanta. Both inside and outside of the perimeter. Atlanta Politicians. OTP politicians. Both sides. Two dollars. Both sides.
Bob Decker
July 30th, 2012
2:00 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!!!!
Mild Mannered Moderate
July 30th, 2012
2:02 pm
Right on: Really? Well if both sides reject it that’s what I should do I suppose, but there is more advertising on television that shows that I should vote FOR it. And if there is more advertising for one side that means more people like it. I like to go with the flow and the crowd. Making waves is bad.
Still, I will have to consider it. I will count the signs on the way to the voting booth tomorrow to see which there are more of.
Both side. Two dollars. Both sides.
Right on
July 30th, 2012
2:06 pm
ok by me.
SSA
July 30th, 2012
2:07 pm
According to politifact.com:
“The transportation sales tax would cost the average consumer an estimated $112 a year.”
“The average Atlanta resident “spends an extra $924 each year in additional gasoline and wasted time.”
It seems to pay for itself and more….
Lower taxes you idgits!
July 30th, 2012
2:08 pm
T-SPLAT all over the capitol’s marble floor
James
July 30th, 2012
2:09 pm
For those of you that will be voting “No”… what is your solution to the traffic mess? I’ll agree that the planned projects are not ideal or the best solutions, but they are certainly better than doing nothing.
If you cannot provide a better alternative, why make things worse for the entire region by voting down the current “best” solution? Are you all a bunch of sadists?
Can we get a list of supporters...
July 30th, 2012
2:10 pm
…so we can vote them all out for supporting such poor legislation?
Ga Values VOTE NO FOR WASTE, GRAFT & CORRUPTION
July 30th, 2012
2:13 pm
Road Scholar
July 30th, 2012
1:10 pm
Wrong on 1st, right on VOTE NO ON WASTE, GRAFT & CORRUPTION…
Mild Mannered Moderate
July 30th, 2012
2:15 pm
@James – Well I had a cousin and I asked him and his suggestion was “Move.” But I don’t think that’s fair to both sides.
MY solution is that both sides should come together and have lunch and that we should have both of them make a list and take 1/2 the things from one list and 1/2 the things from the other list. Its only fair.
Both sides. Two dollars. Both sides.
ank
July 30th, 2012
2:17 pm
Sometimes i think my 3 yr old has more common sense than some of the bloggers around here.
I will say one thing: my own job security continues, with all the morbidly obese, 2 hr commuting, traffic-sitting folks who vote no on this one. Thank god for heart disease and concominant 2 hr traffic standstills!
SSA
July 30th, 2012
2:18 pm
But this is important as well: http://www.ajc.com/opinion/no-tax-is-racist-1486164.html. Its amusing that the Tea Party and NAACP agree at all, even if for completely different reasons.
Mild Mannered Moderate
July 30th, 2012
2:19 pm
@Ank – You’re welcome. After all, all the morbidly obese, 1 hour 59 minute commuting, traffic sitting folk who vote yes on this one will be voting for 1 hour 59 minute stand stills will be giving you job security two.
You’re playing both sides! WELL DONE!
Both sides. Two dollars. Both sides.
GenXYer
July 30th, 2012
2:26 pm
No Name and Auntie Christ–
The Pro Rally was in the North wing, the anti rally was in the south wing.
Vote YES
July 30th, 2012
2:26 pm
Vote YES!!
Simple
July 30th, 2012
2:27 pm
So all traffic back ups go away by simply voting to give someone else my hard earned money? Color me skeptical………
Simple
July 30th, 2012
2:28 pm
T SPLOST is going to be T bagged………
Mike
July 30th, 2012
2:30 pm
if you vote no don’t drive And keep following the other lemmings off the cliff. Thankfully, govt didn’t build everything I use; your comments are rather obamaesque don’t you think?
Here’s the point: metro Atl area govts have a history of waste, mismanagement, etc. Remember AJC story just a few weeks ago about beltway management taking their wives out to dinner on your tax dollars? You need to pay attention to your surroundings before you make other outrageoous claims.
Mild Mannered Moderate
July 30th, 2012
2:34 pm
I also heard TSPLOST will make flying cars like on the jetsons. Vote yes!
Oh yeah! Well *I* heard that you’re going to get to be on the next season of Lost if you vote yes (it will be a lottery.)
I heard that it includes free GPS tracking devices for everyone in Atlanta so you won’t ever get lost again.
And like mike said using no punctuation and poor grammar to say whatever it is he was trying to say that it is important that we trust what the ajc says because it doesnt get ad revenue from construction companies and the champber of commurce like other peopul advocating a yes vote and remember that you cant trust the metroatl governs but you can trust the rural atlanta georgia governments that also think this is cool so vote yes and if you dont dont drive because I spell gud.
Both sides want you to vote! Vote early! Vote often!
Both sides. Two dollars. Both sides.
Mike
July 30th, 2012
2:37 pm
Mild Mannered Moderate: I’ve got a period you can borrow (didn’t use it at end of this sentence)
Mild Mannered Moderate
July 30th, 2012
2:40 pm
Thanks mike. it is important to borrow things from yur neightbors because being neighburly is gud. Thankewe 4 using spell and gramarrcheck. I height it when people don’t use thuse. It is disrepectful and only radiculs on the fringz are rude.
Vote yes! Because thats what ewe were told 2 dew!
Both sides. Two Dollars. Both sides.
Mike
July 30th, 2012
2:44 pm
Mild Mannered Moderate: Are you always this silly about important public policy issues?
Hmmmmmm
July 30th, 2012
2:49 pm
Looks like two different places…. But, who would have thought that Jim Galloway is going to vote for Tsplost….
Mild Mannered Moderate
July 30th, 2012
2:49 pm
I don’t know what you mean by silly?
You mean taking one side that believes that observable reality is optional vs the other side that doesn’t and treating them the same?
You mean like taking Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin seriously?
You mean like electing…well…pretty much anyone who is elected here in Georgia?
You mean like electing someone because you like their hair, their voice, their ethnicity etc?
You mean like believing in a slick advertising campaign that doesn’t do anything but make the people who are pushing it rich?
Yeah, I know. I’m only silly when the majority goes with the flow, and then its not silly because the middle likes it. Both sides are the same.
Both sides. Two Dollars. Both sides.
jj
July 30th, 2012
2:51 pm
10 robo calls from TSPOST in less than 48 hours has more than convinced me to say NO
Mr Big
July 30th, 2012
2:54 pm
Mild Mannered Moderate, I think he meant your intentional misspelling of words and bad grammar just to be a smarty pants.
yatsidog
July 30th, 2012
2:55 pm
If it doesn’t have provisions for the Northern Arc to connect I75 and I85 without coming into downtown ATL/or I285 clogging up traffic, wasting gas and time, then it’s worthless. GA sent back unused funds and now they want us to pay. No way.
Mild Mannered Moderate
July 30th, 2012
2:56 pm
I am not smart. I’m just like everyone else. I just wanted to be normal and use no punctuation like Mike.
Two sides. Both dollars. Two sides.
Krie (proud to have voted NO)
July 30th, 2012
2:58 pm
@ Bob Decker 2:00 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,”
My god man, are you asking for a lawsuit….you forgot the oldest profession….(Pimping ant Easy)!
Vote NO
Mr Big
July 30th, 2012
2:59 pm
Is it both sides or two sides? Both dollars or two dollars? I can’t figure out your riddle.
Living In Dekalb
July 30th, 2012
3:07 pm
Where were the residents of Clayton, Cobb & Gwinnett when residents in Atlanta & Dekalb voted for MARTA and had a 1 cent sales tax added which made Fulton Cty 8 percent, and Dekalb 7 percent, the residents of Clayton, Cobb & Gwinnett did not want the PEOPLE???????????? Who ride MARTA in their neighborhoods, so now fast forward and the residents of Fulton & Dekalb has to pay an extra 1 percent, 9 percent sales tax for Fulton and 8 percent Sales tax for Dekalb. I say is this FAIR? NO!!!!and I say NO!!!!!!!!!to TSPlost.
Tired of BS
July 30th, 2012
3:07 pm
Truth… a vote for TSLOST is just damned stupid. Who in their right mind votes for something that is not set in stone. Wish we had an electorate educated enough to know that all of this is just a plan at this point. The Feds do not have the money to give a grant to the states any longer. The BS spewing from those who support is shameful.
Vote No on corrupt TSPLOST
July 30th, 2012
3:11 pm
Take away those paid to be there and our corrupt governor and his flunkies would be there alone.
John Galt
July 30th, 2012
3:13 pm
I went line by line through the proposals. Nothing will eliminate the five traffic lights between myself and all of these improvements, meaning that I will still have the longest delays nearest my home.
Odds are it’s the same for you.
We already have layers of government that are responsible for EVERYTHING proposed in TSPLOST. Since they could not convince us to raise our taxes directly to solve our local issues, they propose a regional tax and imply someone else will pay to resolve our problems.
The main beneficiary? The city of Atlanta, who does not even have the fiscal discipline to pay for their own sewer system maintenance.
Bernie Matt
July 30th, 2012
3:14 pm
More black faces at the rally to vote yes than you will ever see working on any road project! Keep financing your own oppression, then want to talk my ear off about how, “they” won’t give Obama a chance. Some of my people are so delusional it hurts my heart.
emack06
July 30th, 2012
3:17 pm
Nathan, Reed, I am very disappointed in your actions on this TSplost crap. Basically you are telling the people either vote yes or pay the consequences. And I ask myself “What are the consequences?”. A week ago that question was answered in one of your pro-Tsplost TV ads. Higher gas taxes and property taxes. So basically you and your thug comissions are giving the people an ultimatum in which you are cleverly trying to dis guise as being the people’s decision. Well, my response is “NO” to T-SPLOTS, “NO” to Deal in the next gubernatorial election and “NO” to Reed in the next mayoral election.
jess
July 30th, 2012
3:19 pm
Although T-Splost is being sold as a way to reduce traffic problems, a quick look at the projects listed in the ajc yesterday begs the question…..HOW. The vast majority of the Atlanta and regional projects do nothing to help traffic. In fact, the lion’s share of the funding goes to combining MARTA maintenance facilities, and station upgrades, and to the beltline. How is this possibly going to get cars off the expressways?
Bernie Matt
July 30th, 2012
3:22 pm
When Gov. Deal says “ghetto grandmothers” and when Kasim Reed’s campaign plays the race card to get you to be scared of voting for the white woman. They are playing on your stupidity, both white and black, because we see here that they can agree to defraud us all. Middle class and poor people of all races have to begin to form coalitions to vote our interest and stop voting our fears of each other. Otherwise, the sharks like Deal and Reed will continue to exist in government and run our lives forever.
kyla love
July 30th, 2012
3:27 pm
Has anybody ask the question, What happens if these project go over budget and are not completed in time.
Right on
July 30th, 2012
3:29 pm
“I went line by line through the proposals.”
I am glad you did and I hope others do, too. This thing will not do enough to relieve traffic and it is sickening to compare what it is and how it is being sold.
emack06
July 30th, 2012
3:32 pm
With all the money you idots spent trying to convince us to vote “Yes” for this crap, you could have used it to actually do the work you are claiming you want done. Atlanta’s traffic problem is can easliy be solved by promoting more flex hours and telecommuting by companies. Heck If half the companies allow rolling telecommuting, it woul free up 25% of the traffic each week day. Another option is to build an interstate connecting I675 @ I285 to GA400 @I85. This is something our “Federal” tax dollars should already pay for without overtaxing the citizens of the region.
Redandblackpeachy
July 30th, 2012
3:48 pm
I think the issue with T-SPLOST is a lack of trust and a lack of clarity. Most people are for resolving the commute and infrastructure issues. The question really becomes can it and will it be done by passing T-SPLOST. Even today I am looking for the answers to those questions. I am one of the undecided.
Ga Values VOTE NO FOR WASTE, GRAFT & CORRUPTION
July 30th, 2012
3:56 pm
Fifty cents out of every dollar for traffic congestion relief just isn’t enough. An important principle was not observed — that to reduce traffic congestion you have to do things that reduce traffic congestion.
A new plan is needed that ranks projects by how much they would actually reduce traffic congestion. Projects that reduce traffic delay the most (say per million or billion dollars) should be at the top. Others shouldn’t be on the list at all. Perhaps some transit would be good enough to make the new list. They are not in this plan.
It is a disservice to spend more than half the money on projects that cannot reduce traffic congestion. It would make as much sense to offer the gas station $7 per gallon to fill up the car, rather than the posted $3.50.
Why isn't there more MARTA projects
July 30th, 2012
3:57 pm
The solution is the same solution it was years ago, send MARTA Rail out 75 & 85 both ways, same for 20. Send a commuter rail all the way to Macon and Athens. And if my neighbors in Gwinnett and the other suburb counties don’t want “that element” coming to their neighborhood they can move further out. It is just asinine that the MARTA rail does not actually run all the way to Mall of Georgia, Flowery Branch, Eagle’s Landing, Conyers and Six Flags or Douglasville.
Mass transit is the answer!
emack06
July 30th, 2012
4:07 pm
@Bob Decker
I had to laugh. This region is behind the times. A Full-feldge casino would boost the local economy. I’ve been to many casinos over the past few years. Never had I felt unsafe in a casino. If done right with proper security, a casino could be just want this region needs. But not just a casino, rather an entertainment complex/Resort style casino. Much like HardRock Casino in Hollywood, Fl combined with the elegance of Beau Rivage.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
July 30th, 2012
4:07 pm
If polls were elections, the gays would be prancing down the aisle as we speak, and we know how those amendment referendums always go..TSPLOST is toast. VOTE NO on 7/31, or do as I did and vote early.
Retired Old Atlantan
July 30th, 2012
4:16 pm
Just say NO !!! loud and clear.
Kris
July 30th, 2012
4:27 pm
@ kyla love 3:27 pm
“Has anybody ask the question, What happens if these project go over budget and are not completed in time.”
What happens is the LOW bidder gets the job and after all is signed POCKETS LINED OOPS I the low bidder forgot to add the sand and tar for the mix that will be another 6 billion…that’s the way it works, Wash rinse (line pockets) ..Repeat ……
1 doz + crooks asphalt (DEAL, REED Deal, Cagle, , and Lewis Johnson..Thrasher,Matthews ) Laugh all the way to the bank.
On another note “Both dollars or two dollars?” I have a Bill Clinton # dollar bill to toss in
Vote NO
NO TSPLOST
July 30th, 2012
4:28 pm
This exceedingly expensive boondoggle will simply enrich politicians who have no integrity, no industry, and no decency. The projects will take twice as long and cost three times as much. VOTE NO!!!!!
morerightthanleft
July 30th, 2012
4:33 pm
voting no!! on any and all increases of taxes…when did politicians become trustworthy and not crooked…you want more money and my trust..nah!!! …this quick knee response reminds me of how obamacare was rammed down my throat ….i dont trust our politicians…so im not giving them more money , power or votes
Info
July 30th, 2012
4:34 pm
So I went to look at my region’s roundtable approved transportation project list and I found a 192 page report. This link is on the T-SPLOST web site if you want to check yourself (district #3). So who is the marketing genius who got paid $8 million so that when asked by someone on how the T-SPLOST affects me I get a report that is 192 pages long. I’m voting NO now. Marketing fail! Well at least you got paid $8 million.
Chris
July 30th, 2012
4:44 pm
C’mon people, don’t you want to be part of a huge change for the city. Get over your close-minded general disgust for our elected officials at least for one day and pass this thing. Don’t punish the citizens of Atlanta, just because you feel you may have been jaded in some way in the past… Vote YES! we need this to happen now, period.
Oh and BTW, I am a native, have always paid the 1% extra in Fulton and have been very proud to… it pays for MARTA, which brought growth, the Olympics, and created an environment where large corporations wanted to headquarter themselves… We are now getting as stagnant as our traffic, can we change that please?
Jesscia Helms
July 30th, 2012
4:50 pm
The extremes on the left and right oppose this. Let’s hope the middle holds and this thing passes!
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.