22 Days! TIA/TSPLOST Tough Questions Answered

Another installment of the Frequently Asked (tough) Questions regarding the TIA/TSPLOST vote on July 31st.

See our previous post for: I don’t trust government (to either pick the projects, spend the money or deliver the projects).

This week's question: I don’t support any new taxes / now is not the time to be raising taxes.

Answer:

• 87% of people agree that traffic has gotten so bad something must be done about it. This is that opportunity. If not now, when? 
• Because of our long commute times, the Texas Transportation Institute estimates that Atlantans are already paying a “congestion tax” of $924/yr for the wasted time and fuel we spend sitting in traffic. However, based on the average amount of goods people buy, this transportation opportunity will only cost roughly $122/year – about the amount of a cup of coffee per week. Isn’t it worth an investment of $122/yr to reduce the amount of time and money we waste sitting in traffic, not to mention the job opportunities we may be losing because of our traffic reputation. 
• Economists say that cities are either in a period of rise and growth or they are in a period of decline. They don't stay in the status quo. If we don't do something to build more infrastructure, our region will likely begin a period of decline. So, this is really a vote and investment for our future – creating jobs and getting home faster to spend more time with our families rather than spending time stuck in increasingly growing traffic. 
• Georgia is ranked 48th nationally in transportation infrastructure spending and metro Atlanta is ranked 91 out 100 among metro regions for access to transit. Regardless of where you are and who you speak with, everyone can agree that we have a traffic problem. Transportation investment is expensive and we are behind in this state and this region. 
• Of the various funding options, a sales tax increase was the least regressive and fairest funding mechanism on the table. If we were to raise the gas tax, it would come at a cost of nearly 25 cents on the gallon -- hardly affordable for a working class family. Not only will the residents of our region contribute to our transportation investment, but also visitors and other commuters traveling and purchasing items within the 10-county region. 
• This referendum is not a choice between no tax and a new tax. It’s a choice between public investment that will create jobs and attract businesses such as Caterpillar, and an uncontrollable congestion tax that will send jobs and businesses packing to regions that are making visionary investments in their growth and prosperity.