PAT ON THE ISSUES:

Regional sales tax for transportation

Would you vote for an extra penny of sales tax to be spent in the 10 county metropolitan Atlanta Regional Commission area for transportation?

Proponents of new funding for transportation argue that the future of Metro Atlanta's economic development depends on addressing the traffic congestion problems. The General Assembly has failed for the last two years to create new transportation funds that have been the first priority of the business, county and city stakeholders. Georgia has the second lowest gasoline tax in the United States, spends less per capita on transportation than any other state except Tennessee, and is the only state of 50 that contributes almost no state tax dollars to public transportation. The state's new strategic plan specifically sets congestion mitigation and full funding of the core transit plans as the number one priority.

Opponents of an extra penny of sales tax for transportation argue that DeKalb and Fulton already pay for public transit and any new funds are not guaranteed to help MARTA or other county bus systems that are financially failing. They have no confidence in the state's promises to spend the money where it was collected. Further, the current fiscal crisis hurts poor people the worst, and sales taxes are regressive.

What do YOU think? Please submit your answer by e-mail. Feel free to contact me with your views on any issue that needs to be addressed or whenever I can be of service.

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Download Pat's 2010 Pre-Legislative Newsletter