Your morning jolt: One-third of early voters supported TSPLOST, says poll
Only a third of early metro Atlanta voters supported the transportation sales tax, according to the firm that conducted a general poll for Channel 2 Action News last week.
Rosetta Stone Communications, a GOP-oriented political service firm, last night polled 656 randomly selected early voters in the 10-county TSPLOST district. Support was measured at 32 percent.
As of last Thursday, 123,870 early votes had been cast – we should have updated numbers that include Friday’s ballots by sometime this morning.
Last week, Kevin Ross and Paul Benacke, Strategists for the Untie Atlanta campaign said that, while discouraging, recent polls don’t measure the new voters their campaign has driven to the polls. Wrote the pair:
The campaign sampled 5,991 out of the 33,551 absentee voters and we are winning 57 percent to 43 percent; furthermore, the campaign sampled 5,681 out of the 71,298 early voters and we are winning 53 percent to 47 percent.
The Rosetta Stone findings would appear to contradict that.
“The math is simple, and the results are clear” said John Garst of Rosetta Stone. “The TSPLOST was badly defeated in the early voting period.”
Margin of error for the automated Rosetta Stone poll was placed at +/- 3.8 percentage points.
In an AJC survey released Sunday, 51 percent of likely voters said they would reject the 1 percent sales tax.
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***
No doubt the timing of this piece of news below is aimed at Tuesday balloting. From Jim Burress and WABE (90.1FM):
In a letter addressed to Attorney General Eric Holder, Ga NAACP chapter president Edward DuBose says the Georgia Department of Transportation engages in “willful” acts of discrimination against African-American and other minority-owned businesses.
DuBose says G-DOT’s own internal audit confirms the charges, and asks for the Department of Justice to investigate.
***
Then again, the Newnan Times-Herald brings word of an opposing position: The group 100 Black Men of Atlanta has endorsed the TSPLOST.
***
You know that this is a “have-to” – not a “want to” for the White House. From the New York Times:
Former President Bill Clinton is set to play a central part in the Democratic convention, aides said, and will formally place President Obama’s name into nomination by delivering a prime-time speech designed to present a forceful economic argument for why Mr. Obama deserves to win a second term.
***
In additional excerpts released by ABC News from its overseas interview with Mitt Romney, the GOP presidential candidate was unable to say whether he ever paid a lower tax rate than the 13.9 percent he paid in 2010. Via the Los Angeles Times:
“I haven’t calculated that. I’m happy to go back and look, but my view is I’ve paid all the taxes required by law,” Romney [said].
Romney’s 13.9% rate falls far below rates typically applied to those with incomes approaching the $20.1 million he made in 2010.
“I know that I pay a very substantial amount of taxes, and every year since the beginning of my career so far as I can recall,” he later added.
***
Voters in northeast Georgia today will find this message from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on their home answering machines:
”If you agree that it’s time our elected officials stop talking at us and start listening to us, then I hope you’ll join me in supporting Martha Zoller for Congress. Martha’s running against the establishment, but with all of our support, she can win. Martha has been fighting for conservative causes for years. In addition to being pro-life and a firm defender of our Constitution, including our second amendment rights, Martha is a strong fiscal conservative…..”
Now, maybe it’s not a big deal, but in her message, Palin mispronounces the 9th District candidate’s name. The former radio talk show host’s name rhymes with “collar.” Palin pronounced it “Z-owe-ller.”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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234 comments Add your comment
fed up with it all
July 30th, 2012
11:29 am
the enemy within
11:11 am 7/30/12
you are the only one who clearly sees the bigger picture.
ComradeAnon
July 30th, 2012
11:29 am
One more thing. The citizens of this state complained for years about traffic. Nothing was done. Then businesses started complaining that “your traffic is too bad, we don’t want to locate there”. Now watch all the legislators bend over backwards to try to felate their Lord the Corporation. Disgusting.
Road Scholar
July 30th, 2012
11:30 am
“Considering that there was no input from the general public or from engineers trained in transportation. ”
Did you know the GDOT Director of Planning reviewed all projects, the final project list and determined that those projects do address congestion as well as safety and air quality? He has a BSCE and a masters degree in transportation and has many years of experience in transportation planning. What are your credentials?
The list of projects were also vetted by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) which is the Metro Planning Org for the Atlanta Region. They have run a myriad of computer modeling on these projects and ARC is staffed by many qualified professional transportation planners. What are your credentials?
No public input? I believe they received over 200,00 comments and input into the final list. Where were you?
What amazes me is the distrust of not only the politicians but also the professional engineers and planners. Do you question your doctors this way? The people who fix your appliances and homes? Try this next time just before you get a colonoscopy? When the dentist has his equipment in your mouth? YOU voted for these politicians and I bet all if not most of the incumbents running will get reelected…….by YOU! That is…if you vote, or do just like to say I told you so!
Oh and td, We know or at least you think you are an expert on everything. Running for office? Wheel chair general? And no, I do not work for GDOT, A contractor or a politician. I think for myself based on what I have learned and read. td: “I vote for killing the economy…” Ah the repub mantra!
The opposition has proposed that the gas tax be consolidated (tax + gas sales tax (3 out of 4 cents) and the gas sales tax that goes to the general fund( 1 Cent of the 4)) into one tax. I agree. But that 1 % has been going to transportation for many years. Adjusting the present gas tax to inflation? New funding to cover the decrease in tax revenue that has occurred and the expanded needs of the region/state is proposed by some , but the politicians are shaking in their boots because they fear making the decision and G Norquist.
Are you ready for more tolls? Hot/managed lanes? Good you better be!
Maybe we should tax bitching? We’d be rolling in money!
allen981
July 30th, 2012
11:32 am
Well said TD
Middle of the Road
July 30th, 2012
11:35 am
“What amazes me is the distrust of not only the politicians but also the professional engineers and planners. Do you question your doctors this way?”
I don’t think my doctors would have taken a HOV lane away from general traffic use and made it an HOT lane. Sort of like saying if you pay me an extra $20, I will let you in fromt of the other people who had appointments.
My doctor probably would not have said he was going to remove a toll on Ga 400 and then kept in in place to get more money. Sort of like charging extra so he could buy an MRI and then deciding to keep charging extra because he likes the extra money coming in.
Miss J
July 30th, 2012
11:38 am
Top Reasons I Will Vote NO on TSPLOST…
1. We are paying way too much taxes as it is.
2. Why can’t our elected officials manage the tax revenues they already receive from us; for example, look at the high paying salaries of our state and county officials and start cutting from there.
3. We can furlough teachers and cops but never hear about our elected officials talk about cutting the outragous six figure (450,000) salaries.
4. Take the current tax revenues – manage them and they can be used for various projects to eleviate out traffic congestion.
5. You told us once GA 400 was paid off – you would stop the tolls. You stopped the tolls for a few weeks – then reinstated them. You expect us to trust you with more of our tax dollars. Gov Deal promised to get rid of the GA 400 tolls but he does not have the authority to do it..he must make a recommendation.
NO TO TSPLOST………………..NO NO NO…………..
allen981
July 30th, 2012
11:38 am
Tolls work fine in many places; what’s wrong with them? Better than forcing me to pay for something I don’t use.
allen981
July 30th, 2012
11:38 am
Tolls work fine in many places; what’s wrong with them? Better than forcing me to pay for something I don’t use.
Harry Lewis
July 30th, 2012
11:39 am
Do we need the tax?
7/30/2012 9:30:00 AM
LaHood announces expansion of transportation project finance fund
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced the availability of up to $17 billion in loans for critical infrastructure projects as a result of the new surface transportation law.
He encouraged cities and states to submit letters of interest to the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (TIFIA) program, which provides direct loan guarantees and standby lines of credit to major infrastructure projects that have the potential to create jobs and spur economic development.
LaHood described the assistance as “the largest transportation infrastructure loan program” in the history of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
“These investments will help cities and states create jobs right away building the big transportation projects we need to make sure our economy continues to grow and prosper,” he said in a prepared statement.
The recently enacted law, known by the acronym MAP-21, provides $1.7 billion in capital over two years for TIFIA credit assistance program, up from $120 million in FY2012. Each dollar of federal funds can provide approximately $10 in TIFIA credit assistance, meaning $17 billion in loans through TIFIA can leverage $20 billion to $30 billion in transportation infrastructure investments, according to LaHood.
A range of projects are eligible for funding, including those involving passenger rail and public transit.
To date, the TIFIA program has used $9.2 billion in funding to leverage more than $36.4 billion in private and other capital to help advance 27 major transportation projects, according to the USDOT.
Middle of the Road
July 30th, 2012
11:41 am
The Georgia DOT is also the one that, when they built I-575, only built it two lanes in each direction. As soon as it opened, it was overcrowded. Where was the 10-year projections? They could have made it three lanes with very little more money and a LOT less congestion.
The Georgia DOT also put in 575/515 and did not buy any land for carpool parking areas. You anti-congestion people want carpools, right? Every carpool takes at least one car off the road. But there are no places around 575 to park and ride. People have to park in churches or businesses, or the few park and rides are full and people parking on the grass.
Yes, I question THAT DOT.
Hmmmmmm
July 30th, 2012
11:41 am
@Road Scholar
My credentials…. Hmmmm, let me think… Oh I know. I can BALANCE my check book! My bank charges me for fiscal irresponsibility…. I appreciate all the HOT air, but it boils down to one thing. Fiscal responsibility. This bill is NOT in any shape or form fiscally responsible. Hey, I didn’t need but one paragraph…. Sorry, but I am still trying to find somebody to help me…. Vote yes is so worried about me…
TS
July 30th, 2012
11:42 am
@ And to think……what about Augusta???…Its the 2nd largest city in Georgia yet it really won’t benefit from any of the money if this bill is passed.
Its residents will be taxed to pay for projects in Atlanta that’s 150 miles away! Its funny how Out-of-towners think Atlanta is the only city in Georgia…when you mention Atlanta to a out-of-towner they talk about it as if it is the state and NOT the city!!!
Don’t forget Augusta and Savannah, 2 major cities within Georgia worth mentioning and how they will NOT benefit from this bill!!!
jj
July 30th, 2012
11:43 am
The failed commisioner of the SRTA simply cannot tell the truth.
Remeber GA 400. Vote NO
Middle of the Road
July 30th, 2012
11:44 am
Actually, TS, Ithink Augusta and Savannah are in separate TSPLOST regions, not in the Atlanta region.
Road Scholar
July 30th, 2012
11:45 am
Shar: “Perhaps the GDOT planners will be forced to think of accountability before they approve a 4-lane to Sonny’s Place instead of new roads where everyone except former governors have to drive. ” You are right on the shift. But you left out that it was proposed by the Governor and approved by the legislature since the corridor was a part of the Gov Road Imp Program (GRIP) system APPROVED by the legislature?
rumpelstiltskin
July 30th, 2012
11:46 am
Why not offer incentives to companies that allow the employees to work from home? Why not promote and push that initiative? There are many job functions out there that could be accomplished if the employees had the option to telecommute. It would help the clean air movement, reduce the traffic gridlock, improve quality of life, and reduce expenses, which could help boost the economy. I work from home 3 days a week, so essentially I save about 60% on my fuel expense ($60-70 savings per week)
Miss J
July 30th, 2012
11:47 am
Bottom line—-our elected officials don’t want to make the tough decisions that’s required to manage the tax revenues they already get from us.
Look at the state and local waste…no you rather raise our taxes —it’s a lot easier to do that that to stand up and make tough decisions concerning our budjets……………. NO TO the TSPLOST NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Bill
July 30th, 2012
11:48 am
Only a true libtard would care how Palin pronounced Zoeller.
TSPLOST is going down hard which is great news
Remember Toll 400
July 30th, 2012
11:49 am
Governor, remember when we agreed to the GA 400 toll WITH THE PROMISE it would go away when paid off? Well, you lie once, shame on you. If the taxpayers vote for another tax “to fix traffic,” shame on us. Politicians, Repub or Dems, do not give back tax money. Vote carefully.
No SPLOST Left of Center
July 30th, 2012
11:49 am
There are many issues that will cause folks to vote this down, not the least of which is the idea that this region is still badly suffering from the recession and no new taxes is their mantra.
But this SPLOST could not have come at a worse time for possible passage, in that most of us vividly remember the outrage foisted upon the folks in Gwinnett when the HOT lanes were imposed over wholesale objection. To me, voting in this SPLOST will only get us more Lexus Lanes.
And since I can’t afford them now, I don’t see voting in more of them.
And the idea that those of us who’ve lived in the suburbs forever and put up with things as they are should listen to you newbies living in Atlantic Station — because you are young, and wise, and worldly, and are going to leave with your noveau riches otherwise — is a joke. We dealt with things long before your newbie *sses got here, and we will deal with them long after you are gone. Go live in Birmingham or elsewhere. Your sanctimonious carping might be appreciated there.
And we won’t have to put up with your johnny-come-lately “advice”.
TS
July 30th, 2012
11:49 am
@ Middle of the Road…..Are you sure about that?….If so, I stand corrected!
Kris (voted NO)
July 30th, 2012
11:50 am
Deal/Reed you know if you take 2 crooked boards and glue them at the top it might stand up.
This crooked pocket lining cheep asphalt TAX smells dirty. It reeks of midnight legislation behind closed/locked doors.
Please DERAIL this boondoggle TAX..
Vote the GOP crooks out!
NO TO TSPLOST………………..NO NO NO………
Vote No on corrupt TSPLOST
July 30th, 2012
11:51 am
I took the Citizens for Transportation Mobility, Inc donation report for their campaign to push the TSPLOST and totaled up the donations from outside of Georgia = $1,281,827. This is outside the state money attempting to raise our taxes to enrich themselves. DISGUSTING!
Rafe Hollister
July 30th, 2012
11:53 am
Tee SPLAT
I know he has never once been consistent, but isn’t Obama’s slogan, “Forward”? He says “we ain’t going back” about every 30 minutes, so why is he going back to …….Clinton? I guess when the going gets tough, we go in reverse.
Road Scholar
July 30th, 2012
11:55 am
Middle: They do 20 year projections with the year that construction is to be completed as the base year. Maybe that was all that they could afford at the time. Lanes can be added in the median. At the time there was almost nothing in that corridor. Do you know that part of the road north of where I575 ends is a part of the Appalachian Development Hwy? A fed program to spur development in Appalachia? Have you looked at te HOV Strategic Plan on the GDOT website? It won a national award for planning with a design revue to ensure constructability.
A boom came..I remember when the region had less than 1 M people in the region. We blew out all projections. For the record three planners were asked to size up I 285 on the north side before it was built. Two said the 20 year growth would dictate 2 lanes in each direction. The third said 5 lanes in each direction. He was right ! But sometimes with limited revenue, you build what you can, and then adjust for the future. The future is now.
Miss J
July 30th, 2012
11:55 am
If this TSPLOST is approved Who WINS:
1. Big Business
2. Lobbyist
3. The GA elected officials
WHO LOSES
The Tax payer AGAIN……….Bail out this one and bail out that one when in the h^%& are you going to bail out the tax payer……NO To TSPLOST NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Poll: Only one-third of early voters supported TSPLOST | The Brantley Enterprise
July 30th, 2012
11:55 am
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Poll: Only one-third of early voters supported TSPLOST | SEGAZINE
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Don't Tread
July 30th, 2012
11:57 am
Wonder how many of the “vote often” people support the T-SPLAT.
Road Scholar
July 30th, 2012
11:59 am
TS: Middle is correct. There are twelve Tsplost districts in the state with their own list of “local” projects. The AJC only yesterday had an article on the coastal district; it may not pass there either. I do not know about the other 10.
aps
July 30th, 2012
12:01 pm
Remember the Northern Arc, great idea ruined by our then governor, whose only idea was to make his crony friends rich by letting them know what land parcels to buy. The same type of politician/bureaucrat will be in charge of this boondoggle. Vote NO!!!
Road Scholar
July 30th, 2012
12:02 pm
A point was made that businesses will fire employees that vote no. Really? How would they know? If they had a way of knowing, they would be violating state and federal law!
clyde
July 30th, 2012
12:02 pm
It’s easy.VOTE NO.
NO TSPLOST !!!
July 30th, 2012
12:02 pm
Vote NO NO NO for T-SPLOST!! They want to UNTIE the TIED UP MESS “they” TIED UP TO BEGIN WITH !!!! Don’t let them do it a second time !!!!! They can use all of the $$ from the GA 400 TOLL and the I-85 HOT LANES they stuck it to the general public on !!!!! NO NO NO for
T-SPLAT !!!!!
A B Normal
July 30th, 2012
12:02 pm
@Astropig – Do you really think a “citizen review panel” is going to keep everything above board?? All anyone has to do is withhold information and the CRP will be weak as a kitten. Just ask anyone who has served on the Atlanta Police citizen review panel.
Road Scholar
July 30th, 2012
12:03 pm
aps: And some want another go at it!
Billy
July 30th, 2012
12:06 pm
It’s a great idea for work at home liberals who won’t have to pay the tax. I’d rather sit on the freeway than pay a tax way out in Newton County for more and more funds for MARTA. I don’t use it and I’m sure I’m already paying for it via state taxes or new bonds sold to China. Not too many listed projects for Newton, wouldn’t vote yes even if there was. For all the hole in the head liberals who are ignorant as rocks yet call conservatives stupid, go buy a crying towel for Tuesday night. Again, glad to sit in traffic if it means another defeat for the arrogant leftists of the world…
too late to complain
July 30th, 2012
12:06 pm
For all you repubs that are complaining about Governor Deal, isn’t this the man that you all wanted to lead this state? Is he not doing a good enough job? Is he failing you all? Just vote NO!
TS
July 30th, 2012
12:07 pm
@ Road Scholar…..ok…I stand corrected…..seems like the public sees through this bill as clear as glass!
henry ford
July 30th, 2012
12:10 pm
or…the title could have said “2/3’s of early voter reject TSPLOST….funny how we read things….kinda like “let’s eat grandma”……or “let’s eat, grandma”…..
Alternatives
July 30th, 2012
12:13 pm
@Curly Copple July 30th, 2012 9:45am
Many of us work in the county in which we live and have no desire to travel to or visit Atlanta. Now, I WOULD like to travel between Gwinnett and Cobb a little more easily but there is not much in the TSPLOST to address travel in east/west directions. The 400 interchange won’t help travel past 400 only those exiting and entering.
Why why why?
July 30th, 2012
12:17 pm
Mike
July 30th, 2012
10:15 am
If mass transit as practiced in Atlanta is such a good thing, why doesn’t it pay for itself? I have to pay for my gas, maintenance, etc.
How about the roads Mike? Do you pay for the roads? Oh, I forgot. Republicans think roads are magically grown by corporations. Roads (and oil companies) are subsidized through taxpayer money. It’s about time we subsidize something that is sustainable – mass transit.
Dirty Dawg
July 30th, 2012
12:19 pm
Hey Kramer, enemy within, td, et.al., are you people really that stupid or do you just assume we are? Actually my basic, albeit somewhat cynical, response to you is KMGNA (K=Kiss and GN=Georgia Native…you can guess the rest.)
Middle of the Road
July 30th, 2012
12:21 pm
“A point was made that businesses will fire employees that vote no. Really? How would they know? ”
They could ask. So forget about “telling the truth” and if your employer asks if you voted for TSPLOST, just say yes.
Hmmmmmm
July 30th, 2012
12:24 pm
@dirty dawg
All your really worried about is providing a four lane to Athens on game day… Who cares who has to pay for it…. am I right…
Middle of the Road
July 30th, 2012
12:26 pm
“How about the roads Mike? Do you pay for the roads? Oh, I forgot. Republicans think roads are magically grown by corporations. Roads (and oil companies) are subsidized through taxpayer money.”
I pay for roads. It is through gasoline taxes. Of course it comes from taxes, it is WHICH taxes that make the difference. I believe that those who enjoy the benefits should pay the taxes. Social Security should be paid for with social security taxes. Medicare should be paid for with Medicare taxes. Roads should be paid for with gas taxes (Old tire cleanup should be paid for from the special tax levied on new tires -like they said they would do but haven’t).
People who use MARTA should pay for MARTA. People who will use the Beltline should pay for the Beltline.
I pay property taxes that subsidize roads IN OUR COUNTY ONLY, where 99% of the people here use the roads. Don’t ask me to subsidize the Atlanta Beltline I will NEVER use.
buckhead bob
July 30th, 2012
12:27 pm
Vote No. This benefits those who drive from suburban Atlanta. Let them pay tolls. I live inside the perimeter, close to work. Why should I subsidize your decision to live in the boonies so you could afford a garage-mahal?
An no plan B? Give me a break. There is no reason that the legislature can’t take up any of these projects on a case by case basis and properly manage the state’s budget to focus on traffic congestion. They were elected to represent us, now let’s make them find a solution. Going to the public and trying to force a “do or die” amendment down our throats because you couldn’t make tough decisions over the past years is not a solution.
Road Scholar
July 30th, 2012
12:28 pm
Middle: I wouldn’t; I’d respond ” It’s none of your business just like the rest of my votes!” Then if pressed say” Wasn’t it a shame it didn’t pass?” w/o attitude!
Middle of the Road
July 30th, 2012
12:29 pm
“All your really worried about is providing a four lane to Athens on game day… Who cares who has to pay for it…. am I right…”
Actually, I think we should put in a sales tax just in the Atlanta City Limits to pay for that road to Athens. That is just like Atlanta wanting to tax us to put in their Beltline.
Middle of the Road
July 30th, 2012
12:31 pm
“This benefits those who drive from suburban Atlanta. Let them pay tolls. I live inside the perimeter, close to work. Why should I subsidize your decision to live in the boonies so you could afford a garage-mahal?”
Fine, I will be glad to pay tolls every time I enter the perimeter (seldom). Of course, no gas taxes can be spent there either.