At the end of the day, my decision to vote YES for the TSPLOST boils down to something pretty simple.
On July 31 I could vote for the TSPLOST because people I trust tell me I should.
Or, I could vote yes because I’m weary of having to plan errands and meetings to avoid traffic snarls.
Or, I could vote yes for the TSPLOST because we need the jobs that will be created with the $8.5 billion in transportation projects it will fund.
Or, I could vote yes because TSPLOST funds can reverse the trend of metro Atlanta and Georgia losing millions in matching federal funds for transportation improvements each year.
Or, I could vote yes because TSPLOST funds can help to strengthen our sagging economic competitiveness as a national and international business hub.
Or, I could vote yes because improved roads and transit will allow people to get where they need to be when they need to be there.
Or, I could vote yes because we have staggering backlogs of transportation maintenance and new project needs all around the state that continue to grow.
Or, I could vote yes because we have to find a way to provide more driving, walking, biking, and transit options for all of us to use every day.
However, I won’t vote yes for any of these reasons, although each is solid and compelling. Nor will I vote yes for any of the dozens of other sound, positive reasons that others have outlined. I won’t vote yes for TSPLOST because I love taxes, because I believe TSPLOST is a silver bullet that will magically correct all of our congestion ills or because I am enthusiastic about every single one of the projects on the well-vetted list of projects that TSPLOST will fund.
I will vote yes simply because I believe in my community, metro Atlanta and Georgia. I live here and plan to for the rest of my days. As a beneficiary of forward-looking, tough decisions and major infrastructure investments by generations of Georgia taxpayers before me, I will vote yes for the future of this region.
Perhaps someday opponents to TSPLOST will advance a better way to tackle and fund the very complicated and expensive business of supporting our economy and desired lifestyles. There will be plenty of need for future funding, too. Until then, however, I salute the folks who have slogged through the analysis and inelegant negotiations that led to the TSPLOST idea and vote. This process we call democracy gives us a chance to invest in our future. I am glad we can have a say. And I WILL vote yes on July 31.
Helen Preston Tapp
American Institute of Certified Planners
A native of Marietta, Tapp is a professional land, transportation and environmental planner and policy analyst.
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Thanks Helen.
Every one of the reasons you gave for voting for this boondoggle are bogus, unsubstantiated and a naive regurgitation of the very dubious claims made by the TSPLOST proponents.
But I guess your unconditional acceptance goes back to your first reason which was that you actually trust the people who are lying to you about what this TSPLOST will accomplish.
Discounting the fact that the current project list is crap, just look at the horrible track record of the people and agencies we are going to have to depend on to implement this intiative.
That in and of itself should move you to the NO side of this referendum.
You are getting there. Slowly but surely.
Will a few NEW jobs be created? Sure, but not nearly the number and type that has been so inaccurately publicized.
They will only be temporary jobs that exist during the planning and construction phases.
The misinformation out there indicates 200,000 NEW PERMANENT jobs will magically appear. It doesn't bother to emphasize that these jobs, if they are ever actually created, occur over a 30 year period. Hardly an immediate or significant boon to our economy.
As far as the money ending up in greedy politicians pockets goes. I never said that in my post
but since you brought it up
Rest assured it will arrive mysteriously in the form of campaign contributions from the developers, consultants and contractors that will primarily benefit from this boondoggle.
Their (the politicians) primary goal is to stay in power and this scam is their ticket to do that.
And ten years from now we will readily see where the $8.5 billion dollars went, because we will be staring dumbstruck at a bunch of half finished, useless projects that are doing nothing to address our transportations issue.
Worse than that we will also be listening to another bogus pitch from the same people, for yet another referendum needed to finish the projects.
Do you have any idea how many contractors have went out of business or have cut their work force by as much as 80% over the last five years?
I would be willing to bet that GDOT is one of the largest employers in Ga. Or should i say, Was the largest employer in Ga.
The effects of T-Splost passing would most certainly boost employment. Immediately? Not really, But as soon as the jobs are let the workers will be hired. 200,000 jobs created? To me that is not as far fetched as you think if you take into consideration the fact its not just the road workers who will be employed but the fabricators, Manufacturers, Suppliers and a countless line of people who are involved in the road construction industry all the way down to the guy who cleans the porta Johns.
Are these projects listed worth while ? I think so ...
There are several in Cobb that i think are long overdue and if you travel in those areas you have to agree ... 41 north to Bartow county line, Windy Hill @ 41, 360 from Lost Mountain to the Paulding county line, WAY OVER DUE. I-20 @285 on the west side, I75 @ Windy Hill ... These are a few great projects... And long over due
Here is one of the problems from an older person's perspective. You have not lived with it! I have. Light rail was a heavy transportation means when I was younger.
1. THEY RIPPED IT OUT FOR ELECTRIC BUSES!!
2. In cities where they did not rip it out, it was they were so heavily invested in overhead (els), they could not afford to take it out.
3. The only beneficiaries are SOME businesses on the line. Home owners get snafued. The whole environment changes, over time to urban.
Kind of late for subway??? Go back to the drawing board...
Just what we need more bumbling bureacrats employed at the worst performing bureacracy in the entire state government!!
That make no sense at all.
In fact the infamous Georgia Department of Transportation is finally getting back to the size it should be.
And you are implying that we should pass the TSPLOST not because it has worthwhile projects, but because it is a "make work" program for for contractors and consultants.
And the contention of the propo of TSPLOST is that 200,000 new permanent high paying jobs would be created.
In my mind port-a-john cleaners don't fall into that category!!
And do you think all the suppliers and manufacturers are going to be located or will relocate in the Atlanta area? Get real!!
The only part of your post that makes any sense at all is the projects that you named. I-20@ 285, Windy Hill interchange @ I-75 and a few others.
And unintentionally you have put your finger on the problem with the TSPLOST project list which is that there are far to few meaningful projects on the list!!!
Most of it is BS!!
Would you buy rotten tomatoes if they were wrapped in a shiny new plastic bag ? Still rotten tomatoes.
I respect your goals, but your fiscal prudence needs a tweak.
You sound intelligent, please think again and vote NO on TSPLOST.
Huummmm. A professional land, transportation and environmental planner and policy analyst, seems to be totally unaware that the ARC chairman has already confirmed for us that this list of projects will do little if anything to relieve that traffic congestion or reduce commute times in the metro area. Yet she wants us to take her lead and vote for TSPLOST.
Why am I thinking Ms. Tapp is merely a shill for the chamber/Tim Lee?