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DEL.ICIO.USPoll: 74 percent of Georgians want to vote on a penny sales tax for traffic fixes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Five days before the start of the 2009 session of the Legislature, a coalition aimed at boosting funds for transportation came out with a poll that it hopes will put the issue beyond politics.
An overwhelming 74 percent of Georgians want the right to decide whether to raise their sales taxes by a penny to solve transportation problems all around the state — but especially in metro Atlanta, according to the poll commissioned by Get Georgia Moving.
The survey, conducted last month by InsiderAdvantage is intended to provide statistical courage for lawmakers who might worry about being accused of supporting what some might describe as a tax increase.
The survey indicates that the issue has a slight gender gap — with women slightly more insistent that something be done. Not unusual, if you think of tens of thousands of moms trucking their kids hither and yon in afternoon, rush-hour traffic.
The survey was not entirely rosy. According to the poll, which has a 4.4 percent MOE, 66 percent of Republicans and 74 percent of Democrats believe that traffic congestion is so bad that the Legislature should “immediately” address the problem.
The partisan gap widens when one looks at those who think immediate action is “very important” — i.e., those who are most worked up about the issue.
Seventy-one percent of Democrats say transportation is an ASAP matter that is “very important.” Only 54 percent of Republicans say so.
Chuck Clay, a former Republican state senator and InsiderAdvantage executive, said the GOP support for the issue is still substantial.
“That’s not a slam-dunk, but that is a very, very, very strong starting position with the most conservative part of the electorate,” Clay said.
Some Republican leaders in the House have questioned whether immediate action is necessary, given that a regional sales tax for transportation would require a statewide, constitutional referendum, which couldn’t be placed on the ballot until November 2010.
But Bill Linginfelter, the Regions Bank executive and co-chairman said voters would brook no delay. “Voters want action, and they want it now,” he said.
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Comments
By Serendipitous Stipend
January 8, 2009 1:05 PM | Link to this
Georgia’s motorists have to do something. Why not raise taxes? Is that the idea?
I cant imagine anyone objecting. Taxes are too low anyway. A new poll says that 90% of tax payers feel like their cheating because taxes are so low.
Motorists want to pay more taxes, and more for gasoline, and more for cars too. Lets just tax the general idea of transportation.
What did George Harrison say? If you walk, we’ll tax your feet.
Taxman!
By Justin Tomczak
January 8, 2009 1:16 PM | Link to this
Taxing our way out of each issue is not the right approach. This is the same approach taken by the national democrats and it is no wonder we have run away deficits and continued calls for more taxes.
Thankfully we have to balance the budget here in Georgia, let’s not always look to new taxes to fix our problems.
By AH
January 8, 2009 2:53 PM | Link to this
Lets poll the public I’m sure they all know what is best for everyone.
By CK
January 8, 2009 3:16 PM | Link to this
I am getting sick of illogical ideas.
There is something wrong and something needs to be done. That something costs money and we want a balanced budget.
Well the money has to come from somewhere….
But I suppose taxing more is just “taxing our way out of issues”
I am sorry but the transportation problems our city faces need to result in two major things: Getting the whole region to work together (not as single counties that do not agree with one another) and making -changes- to our infrastructure. I am sorry, but to make changes it will cost money.
Only LA has worse traffic than us. Companies are starting to not want to relocate here. Commutes are long and stressful. I am afraid if we don’t find the proper way to reinvest in ourselves, our city, and our state, then we are just shooting ourselves in the foot.
By Mickey
January 8, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this
Does the AJC have a financial interest in this ‘InsiderAdvantage’ venture? Why else would you devote ‘news’ space to some type of ‘poll’ that can only be accessed by paid subscribers. If you’re going to engage in such quesionable reporting, you should at least provide some facts as to how the poll was conducted, when, how many participants, etc. AND provide supporting data.
By JW
January 8, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this
How can one say with a straight face that this discussion of a one penny increase in sales tax is “what some might describe as a tax increase?” On a 7 percent sales tax in place, the increase to 8 cents on the dollar amounts to an increase of over a 14 percent. Who would not describe that as a tax increase?
Voting to increase a tax is perilous. People voluntarily increase their taxes for public schools only to see no improvement. Automobile owners pay ad valorem tax on cars, but that is not sufficient for local roads. One additional penny per dollar spent is regressive and will likely end up as only additional vote-buying capability for the legislature.
By Ronnie
January 8, 2009 4:16 PM | Link to this
Best way to solve Atlanta traffic problems is to move government workers out of Atlanta by dispersing their offices throughout other cities in the state. If you don’t believe this then pay attention to your commute on a government holiday that most other people don’t take off such as Columbus Day.
By Ronnie
January 8, 2009 4:24 PM | Link to this
Best way to solve Atlanta traffic problems is to move government workers out of Atlanta by dispersing their offices throughout other cities in the state. If you don’t believe this then pay attention to your commute on a government holiday that most other people don’t take off such as Columbus Day.
By Bat Boy
January 8, 2009 4:33 PM | Link to this
Republicans and Democrats may both believe that traffic is a problem that demands attention. But when it comes to what the right solution is they will have very different ideas. Democrats want an city-centric,mass transit heavy plan that will leave the highways in gridlock and the suburbs in the cold.. I for one would never vote for a tax increase without a clear idea of how the money will be spent.
By BPJ
January 8, 2009 4:58 PM | Link to this
Wow. We have runaway deficits because of “national democrats”? Even though the GOP has controlled Congress for 6 of the last 8 years, and the White House for 8 staight.
Then we get the loony idea that moving state workers out of Downtown will cure traffic. Sure. Downtown is the one place where some of the state workers can ride transit to, thereby not burdening the roads. Instead you want to relocate them to other parts of the state, where there is no transit. How would these people get to their jobs? Has it occurred to you that they are human beings, whose spouses may work here, and with kids in school?
Then we get the tired notion that transit “leaves highways in gridlock and suburbs in the cold.” Think about it: as small as it is, MARTA takes 200,000 cars off the roads on an average day. Think how many a real transit system would take off the roads. Even if you never ride transit, that’s a lot of cars taken out of your way. What’s the alternative - widening highways? Brilliant! The guy who cuts across 5 lanes now to make his exit will then cut across 10 lanes! As for leaving the suburbs in the cold, please look at the DOT map of the proposed commuter rail system. It is designed to serve the suburbs!
By big t
January 8, 2009 6:07 PM | Link to this
BRAVO BRAVO!!!……BPJ
By Ronnie
January 8, 2009 7:50 PM | Link to this
BPJ, Spoken like a true gubment worker. I’m sure your “tired” solution somehow involves mass transit. Nobody rides MARTA now. Nobody wants MARTA in their neighborhoods because of the low lifes it brings in. Where my doo rag at? Why do you think people who work in the city move to the suburbs?
Gubment workers would get to their jobs in other cities just as they do now you fool. They would drive. If your gubment job doesn’t pay enough to afford a car and your subprime mortgage other cities such as Macon have bus service.
Who cares about their kids or families. People get relocated all the time. Deal with it just as they do. If you don’t like where you’re being relocated you have the right to get another job. If so many gubment workers are riding mass transit then why can you sail into town on Columbus Day but not any nongubment holiday?
By J. Lucas McKay
January 8, 2009 8:26 PM | Link to this
Ronnie -
People do take public transportation now. Try Boston. Try New York.
MARTA brings in “low lifes”? That’s a scam, Ronnie. No one robs a bank and then takes the train after. Although you may be just a silly internet troll, people like you perpetuate that silly, backwards idea.
So how about this. Stay out of our town. We don’t want you here.
Hugs and kisses, ATL
By ronnie
January 8, 2009 9:29 PM | Link to this
J. Lucas,
Tell your nonsense to the old lady attacked by the savage on MARTA several months ago. Where my doo rag at?
Last time I checked the traffic in Boston is still bad even with your glorious mass transit.
People not coming to town is the reason Atlanta is crumbling now. You better be nice to me. You need my tax money.
By Bill
January 9, 2009 7:40 AM | Link to this
Ronnie- Ronnie- Ronnie
Nobody rides Marta now?? During peak commute times it is standing room only.
Nobody wants Marta in their Neighborhoods? I think the sentiments in Cobb and Gwinnet county about Marta have changed in the last 30 years.
People in the city move to the suburbs? Atlanta has been growing faster than the burbs for ths last several years - in partly because of traffic and/or Marta.
Please
By Tinkydog
January 9, 2009 7:43 AM | Link to this
If anyone thinks the GA Legislature will take additional tax money and use it precisely and exclusively for the original intent, you have you head where the sun doesn’t shine. How long will the GA Lottery and its millions be safe from a raid by “lawmakers”. Uhh, make that “taxmakers”. You can be sure that any additional tax monies collected by the State of Georgia will go into the general revenue fund and be spent on whatever the Legislature can dream up. I vote “no transportation taxes”!!!!
By Rick
January 9, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this
The only thing that would be done with more tax money is stupid stuff like traffic lights on entrance ramps to the Interstates. Instead of backups where the lanes merge, now there’s backups where the lanes merge and where the lights are. Brilliant idea!
By Rick
January 9, 2009 9:19 AM | Link to this
The only thing that would be done with more tax money is stupid stuff like traffic lights on entrance ramps to the Interstates. Instead of backups where the lanes merge, now there’s backups where the lanes merge and where the lights are. Brilliant idea!
By johnatl
January 9, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this
ronnie, ronnie, ronnie - So you are telling us that the 294,000 people that ride the trains every day don’t exist? And how to you explain the fact that the Federal employees downtown outnumber the State workers? What are you so afraid of, ronnie? Tell you what, you are a dying breed around here son. I hear that Montana has plenty of open land for you, and probably not a do rag in site! Do us all a favor and either shut up or get out.
By Cliff ATL
January 9, 2009 10:41 AM | Link to this
MARTA - Metropolitian Rapid Transit Authority along with Regional trains are the solution to Atlanta’s traffic NIGHTMARE!
It’s time for the State of Georgia to wake up and support rail (not new roads, HOT lanes or HOV lanes). Good ole fashioned rail which seem to work miracles in moving people in and around great cities like:
New York, NY Paris, France Tokyo, Japan Barcelona, Spain
The solution (rail) is clear - This State doesn’t need any more studies to tell it how to move people!
Start Laying RAIL!!! Tax the hell out of Gasoline. Imagine finally paying close to the true cost of gas: Those cost are expensive but unfunded by gasoline purchasers:
Gasoline poisions the air you and your children breathe daily!
Gasoline shifts wealth from the U.S. to foreign countries not particularly interested in seeing the U.S. do well: Think of what Venezuela, Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia would do if oil was as cheap as sea water?
Gasoline purchases threatens our security in the U.S. by funding all those radical ideas from very wealthy foreign nationals the U.S. has created from gasoline purchases!
Gasoline is creating GLOBAL WARMING which threaten the entire plant.
Why shouldn’t there be a dedicated $1.00/gallon tax committed for only RAIL in the State of Georgia?
PS: I am “somebody” and I ride MARTA plus I reside in Surburban “HELL”!
By BPJ
January 9, 2009 2:37 PM | Link to this
Just for the record, Ronnie, I am not a government worker; I am a partner in a successful business in Atlanta. I ride MARTA some days and drive on others, and I consistently find MARTA to be less stressful than driving. The behavior in that infamous video you refer to was bizarre (according to news reports, she was “off her meds”), but not something I’ve seen on MARTA. I have, however, seen aggressive, dangerous, and insane behavior by drivers behind the wheel of a car or truck, more often than I’d care to contemplate.
Yes, there is traffic congestion in Boston, New York, London, & Paris; however, it is much less than it would be without their superb transit systems. All those cities have a lot more people than Atlanta, yet I have driven in all four and find them less congested than Atlanta (London was a problem because of that driving-on-the-left thing, but that’s another matter…..)
And let’s get the facts straight: the city of Atlanta’s population is now the highest it has ever been. Also, over the past 20 years, the city has gone from having lower income & educational levels than the rest of the metro area, to having higher income & educational levels than the rest of the metro area. So you’d “better be nice to us - you may need our tax money.”