Baruch Feigenbaum of the Reason Foundation in a March 6 post on the “Out of Control Policy” blog: Most citizens do not realize that the [T-SPLOST] law authorized a transit governance commission. Whether someone votes for or against the resolution will have more to do with the questionable project list and funding mechanism than an abstract governance problem.
However, the failure of politicians in the Atlanta region to agree on a board to oversee transit, never mind the type of transit itself, is discouraging. The state argues it should control the process because its Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) is the only regional transportation agency. Unfortunately the state contributes very little in actual transit funds. The Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transit Authority (MARTA) argues it should control transit because it operates the majority of service and better understands the funding and grant process. However, due to features it can control (high costs) and features it cannot (anti-urban and xenophobic feelings) it is not and will never be a regional agency. Both agencies make good points. Some sort of compromise is technically possible.
That is until you realize this is really a political fight. State leaders, mostly Republicans, are fighting with Fulton and DeKalb leaders, mostly Democrats, over money and power. Delaying this vote until after the election is certainly the right move. But I am not convinced that the political gamesmanship will disappear in 2013. The metro region certainly needs transportation relief. But, the failure to enact transit governance legislation starts metro Atlanta on the wrong track.
From website Peach Pundit: Yet while many in central and South Georgia may look at Atlanta as a single entity, it remains a region at war with itself. The central city is urban and transit dependent.
The suburbs are also divided among themselves. The inner and more populous counties have urbanized quite a bit over the past few decades. Gwinnett and Clayton counties are much more receptive to transit solutions than they were a decade or so ago, but also face immediate needs for road improvement. Cobb County is having a fierce internal issue over rail, but that battle in and of itself is progress. Ten years ago, the debate would have been considered settled before it even began.
Atlanta’s exurbs, however, do not want transit, and will oppose the T-SPLOST. Their residents are generally anti-tax, and it would be doubtful that many would vote for a regional tax if it were just for roads. Many residents feel the T-SPLOST is just a vehicle to expand transit into their communities and will oppose it on that ground alone.
T-SPLOST opponent and Peachtree City Mayor Don Haddix, in the AJC April 10: “Metro Atlanta is not a homogenous area. Fayette County is suburban, with no interest in being urban. Fulton is urban and likes it. Each county and city is unique. Trying to pass one law to govern us all in the same way is a huge mistake, doesn’t answer the region’s diverse needs, defies home rule and will fail.”
