Why Vote "No" for TSPLOST?
Who invests $10.00 to receive less than $6.00 back, thus a loss of $4.00? Better yet, who would make such an investment after being informed in advance that the profit will be less than the investment? Did we say profit? We meant to say financial loss, deficit, or negative return on investment. The objective of investing is to “make a profit."
The Transportation Investment Act (HB277) is a 1 percent transportation tax known as TSPLOST (Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) which will be a referendum on the ballot in July 2012. Unfortunately, we have evidence that TSPLOST will deliver a “Negative Return On Investment” for DeKalb and Fulton County.
We have received documents that detail the Return on Investment for each county in Metro Atlanta; however, we focused on DeKalb, Fulton, and the City of Atlanta. We were very concerned about the overall benefit DeKalb and Fulton County will receive from TSPLOST because both counties have already invested over 6 billion dollars in 30 years on the transportation foundation of Metro Atlanta. The 1 percent transportation tax (MARTA tax) both counties pay will continue along with the TSPLOST, thus costing the taxpayers and voters 2 percent overall. We must not forget this fact.
If you had a broker push a $100.00 stock to receive a negative return of $50.00, would you keep that broker? Well, the people pushing TSPLOST are politicians instead of brokers. Politicians pushing TSPLOST will not tell you the truth about the return you can expect on your money. Fortunately, there are people in public office that want the taxpayers and voters to be informed of the “truth” about the Transportation Investment Act. These elected officials are public servants and want to take the best action for their constituents.
After receiving documents detailing the Return on Investment for DeKalb, Fulton, and City of Atlanta, we elevated our call for a “no” vote for TSPLOST because the documents proved the following:
- Transportation Investment Act Return on Investment for DeKalb County estimated the TIA revenue generated is $1,017.2 million (just over one billion dollars); however, the direct investment will deliver approximately $556.8 million in DeKalb County. In other words, most of the money will benefit the City of Atlanta and results in a negative investment for the county as a whole. This will prove to be detrimental because the taxpayers and voters of DeKalb County will continue to pay the 1 percent tax for the operation and maintenance for MARTA. Once again, DeKalb County will pay 2 percent in transportation tax while the other counties pay one percent.
- Transportation Investment Act Return on Investment for Fulton County estimated the TIA revenue generated is $1,237.6 million (just over 1.2 billion); however, the direct investment will deliver approximately $920.6 million within Fulton County. In other words, Fulton County will receive more of its money than DeKalb County; however, a large amount of funding will benefit the City of Atlanta.
- Transportation Investment Act Return on Investment for the City of Atlanta estimated TIA revenue generated $914.7 million; however, the direct investments will deliver approximately $895.7 million within the City of Atlanta. In other words, the City of Atlanta will have the greatest gain from the TSPLOST because their investment will amount to over 2 billion ($2.156.5 million) dollars in return on investment overall. Compared to both DeKalb and Fulton County, the City of Atlanta stands to receive the greatest return on investment. However, will investing in the City of Atlanta solve our congestion/traffic problems?
Vote “No” for TSPLOST because the Transportation Investment Act will deliver a negative Return on Investment. As taxpayers and voters, we must demand a viable solution to our transportation problems instead of another tax that simply pulls more money out of the average person’s pocket.
Jimmy Bridges
8:17 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
It's even worse than that. These politicians have "approved" funding for projects that stay within the expected revenue to be generated but this does not even come close to fully funding the projects. In fact, the amounts approved provide approximately 58% of the money needed for the approved projects in total. The approved Dekalb County projects? Only 52% funded. The whole thing is a scam!
Viola Davis RN BSN
8:57 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Excellent fact Mr. Bridges! Unfortunately, the politicians will leave these facts about the referendum out of the many TV ads. Several of the projects would need the taxpayers and voters to renew this tax at least three times to receive complete funding.
Anne Thomas
9:06 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
The ROI on a referendum like this is only one component of many to analyze on a referendum like this. Even those of us who aren't confident in the government's ability to spend our money efficiently surely can realize this. How do we measure our ROI on:
- military 'investment'?
- 'investment' in our parks?
- 'investment' in our police forces?
Transportation investment is for the public good, and impacts our quality of life. The real question each voter needs to ask him/herself is whether or not the the positive impact on his/her quality of life worth his/her 1% sales tax investment?
If you really want to know who is pushing the TIA, take a look at the contribution list for CTM, the advocacy group for TIA - you'll see realtors, international companies, Georgia Power, property developers - companies that care about profit. These companies clearly are equating the success of the TIA as an improvement of our quality of life, thus a better, growing economy.
We need to do what we can to stay the pinnacle of the new south. Interested parties should do a search for the simple document 'How States and Territories Fund Their Transportation.' Take a look at how Georgia transportation funding compares to our competitors. Our budget is approximately $224 per capita, less than Alabama, a third less than Mississippi, and about half that of North Carolina and Florida.
I understand that the process and project list aren't perfect, but we need to think broader.
Bruce Mitchell
2:50 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thank you Viola for keeping this issue in the forefront of our minds. I, for one, realize the big picture here in GA. Those counties that stand to benefit weren't willing to engage the Marta project when it was on the table back in the '70s but they want Dekalb's money now to further their progress now. As this state has become more Red I say let's wait until the environment is more to our benefit. No more extraction of our life blood to advance contrasting areas. We should only do what is in our (Dekalb proper) interest. The State House doesn't care about our future and believe me they will direct all of the value this infrastructure as to bring in directions other than Dekalb.
Viola Davis RN BSN
3:20 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
We need to be watchful and make sure that we are not forced to continue paying the MARTA tax (1% transportation tax) while to state take over governance. Why? If you control the governance, you control the full infrastructure of MARTA. It's like giving away your house; yet, begging to continue paying the mortgage. Please remind everyone that we already have 6 billion dollars invested in the system despite the late involvement of the other counties. We also need to discuss the money that can be borrowed on the TIA 1% tax...bond money! It's time for DeKalb County and Fulton County to demand "equity"!
Viola Davis RN BSN
2:51 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Excellent points Ms. Thomas! The question here is the overall impact on our quality of life. Do you think concentrating the "bulk" of the money in the City of Atlanta will improve our overall transportation problems? Do politicians write a more viable transportation plan than trained professional within the transportation industry? We have not begun to "think broader". This plan is a continuation of the status quo.
As a Veteran trained by the military, we focus on the overall mission and implement a plan that moves us to a successful completion of our mission. Transportation Investment Act has a flawed mission and plan. The Return on Investment demonstrates this fact.
Anne Thomas
6:24 pm on Sunday, April 1, 2012
Do you think concentrating the "bulk" of the money in the City of Atlanta will improve our overall transportation problems? It's obviously a point of debate how much, but yes.
Do politicians write a more viable transportation plan than trained professional within the transportation industry? Most of the improvements on TIA have been vetted through a series of processes, including being identified through a transportation planning processes, so trained professionals have been involved in identifying the projects. The ultimate decision was not up to them, of course.
Lastly, there is no other plan or option.
Cheryl Miller
9:47 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Living in DeKalb or Fulton, we are already close to the city. It is theinflux from other counties that puts a strain on the infrastructure, so perhpas it is time they ask for a T-SPLOST from those who live in the outter regions but want to have a smoother commute. If we are already paying a one percent for MARTA and a one percent for education infrastructure, and we have lower average HH incomes (according to the 2010 census) than Cobb or Gwinnett, then we are already paying our fair share and then some!
If more people would pay attention to the problems in the DeKalb County School Board even if you do not have children in public school, or at all, they would realize that a HUGE contributor to the public transportation mess is the number of parents forced to commute every day to take their children our of their own neighborhoods and drive them to and from school several miles away or even scross the county in search of the greener pastures.
Viola, can you tell us where we can see the project list for the T-SPLOST? And, does anyone know where the money is coming from that is allowing them to place those dameras all over the Interstates and at so many intersections? Are these speed trap cameras so they can send out more tickets and try to get even more money from us? Why do they need so many? Where is the government transparency on this? We haven't head anything about it or approved any new from of big brother police tatctics, have we?
Cheryl Miller
9:51 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
ooops, I meant cameras... sorry, not wearing my glasses. If you havve not noticed the cameras, look around at the tops of street lights and all along 285 and I-85 North ... and I think even on 400... there are cameras going up all over and they are laying cables, tearing up the ground to install them. who is paying? Is this what the Hot Lane money is needed for?
Viola Davis RN BSN
6:38 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
There is a large amount of information on the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) website. You will find the project list on the website:
http://www.atlantaregional.com/
and
http://www.atlantaregional.com/File%20Library/Transportation/Transportation%20Plans/tp_rtplist_030912.pdf
Mike Lowry
4:50 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
Viola, you and other interested parties should join our opposition network. Go to TrafficTruth.net and sign up.
Viola Davis RN BSN
6:56 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
I have joined the opposition network at TrafficTruth.net.
Dianne
7:28 am on Saturday, April 28, 2012
Viola...........another thing to remember is that the only municipal rail / rapid transit system that isn't subsidized by the taxpayers is BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit in San Francisco). MARTA has to be subsidized every year. Why are those of us who aren't the 5% who do use MARTA having to subsidize with our tax $$$ that 5%? You're right, this is another scam just like the toll booth on GA 400. We were told that at the end of 10 years when GA 400 was paid for that the toll booths would be removed. Well, one of Gov. Perdue's last acts as governor was to extend the toll booths on GA 400 for an additional ten years....................the cash cow continues and those of us who use 400 frequently are still paying for it. This will happen with the projects from the T-SPLOST (TIA). Vote NO on July 31st.
Taxus Moore
7:08 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012
Vote "NO" for the taxportation referendum:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqi3uO8Amvs
Viola Davis RN BSN
5:17 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
We did it! We defeated TSPLOST. We proved that coalitions will overpower corporate money and politicians. With a mustard seed of faith, we defeated an 8+ million dollar political mistake (TSPLOST).
Cheryl Miller
1:08 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012
Great job Viola and everyone else who worked to get the truth in front of the voting public! And, we cannot thank you enough for standing up for the rights of our children to help voters learn that cell towers should not be going up at school. 62% (more than 75,000 ppl.) voted "No" to the telecommunications towers referendum as well!