Politics
Politics

134,000 in tele-town hall for transportation tax

By
June 24, 2011

In the region's largest public outreach effort ever, 134,000 people took part in telephone town halls about a proposed regional sales tax for transportation, according to the Atlanta Regional Commission.  The people, called randomly at home phones in the 10-county Atlanta region, stayed on the phone for an average of 10 minutes, to hear local elected officials answer questions about the tax.

In 2012, voters in a referendum will consider a list of projects and a 1 percent sales tax to fund them. A group of those officials is in the process of reducing a $22.9 billion wish list to an affordable list of $6.1 billion.  Staff are to suggest $11.5 billion in cuts by July 7.

About the Author

Ariel Hart is a reporter on health care issues. She works on the AJC’s health team and has reported on subjects including the Voting Rights Act and transportation.

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