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Georgia Sales Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Projects (July 2012)
From Ballotpedia
| Sales Tax for Transportation Amendment | |
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| Type: | Constitutional amendment |
| Constitution: | Georgia Constitution |
| Referred by: | Georgia State Legislature |
| Topic: | Taxes |
| Status: | On the ballot |
Contents |
Former Gov. Sonny Perdue pushed for the plan, which would increase the sales tax in Georgia by one-cent. In a news conference in January 2010 he described his proposal as "the ultimate democratic referendum on investing in transportation".[2] As of 2012, Gov. Nathan Deal currently serves as the state's governor.
Background
On Tuesday, February 7, 2012, the Georgia House of Representatives introduced HB 938, co-sponsored by Representative Matthew Ramsey. If enacted, the bill would void the sales tax referendum, and instead, place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot asking voters whether or not regional sales taxes for transportation purposes should be authorized. The bill then outlines a plan under which any two or more counties contiguous to each other could draft a transportation sales tax proposal, which would then be put to the voters in each county as a referendum.[3]
Support
The state chamber of commerce, backed by local chambers, is a major driver in the effort to pass the measure, saying it is an opportunity for economic development.[4][5] Some other arguments given for the measure include:
- Necessary due to decreased funding to the state Department of Transportation.[4]
- Shares responsibility for transportation projects with local level of government. [4]
Supporters
- Georgia Chamber of Commerce[4]
- Connect Georgia[6]
- Governor Nathan Deal[6]
- Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce[7]
- Comcast[7]
- Post Properties[8]
Campaign contributions
Comcast has donated $100,000 in support of the effort to pass the measure.[7] According to reports, Connect Georgia has raised between $2.5 million and $3 million in its campaign for the amendment.[9]
Opposition
- Tea Party members in the state sent a letter to Governor Nathan Deal expressing disapproval of the proposition, denouncing it as "the largest tax hike in state history." [4]
- Georgia chapter of the Sierra Club[10]
- Multiple Choices[10]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Georgia Constitution
A proposed constitutional amendment in Georgia must be approved by 2/3rds of the membership of each chamber of the Georgia State Legislature before going to the state's voters.
The measure was signed by the governor on June 2, 2010 moving it to the July 2012 statewide ballot.[11][12]
Timeline
The following is a timeline of events surrounding the measure:
| Event | Date | Developments |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Jan. 2010 | Gov. Sonny Perdue , in a news conference, described proposal as "the ultimate democratic referendum on investing in transportation". |
| Signed | Jun. 2, 2010 | Governor signed measure for ballot access after legislative approval. |
See also
| By Eric Veram Ballot measure writer |
| Email • Submit a link |
Additional reading
- The Florida Times-Union,"Analysis: Campaign for Georgia transportation tax needs to go local," April 24, 2011
- The Gainesville Times.com,"Northeast Georgia gets road tax projects," April 24, 2011
- RockdaleCitizen.com,"Transportation project wish list released," April 18, 2011
References
- ↑ KSFM-5 TV, "Ga. gov says he will propose bond package for transportation; backs statewide sales tax vote", January 14, 2010
- ↑ Associated Press,"Gov. Perdue: Ga. Should Vote On Transportation Tax," January 14, 2010
- ↑ TheCitizen.com "Move afoot to kill regional transportation tax," February 8, 2012
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Ledger-enquirer "Sales tax referendum backers say suggested tax increase vital to future," February 6, 2012
- ↑ Rome News-Tribune "Georgia Chamber supports July T-SPLOST vote," March 6, 2012
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 WSAV "July Referendum for Georgia One Cent Transportation Sales Tax," May 14, 2012
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Johns Creek Herald "Chamber officials emphasize the importance of TSPLOST," May 16, 2012
- ↑ Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Will sales tax shorten Atlanta commutes, reduce traffic?," May 20, 2012
- ↑ SaportaReport.com "Column: Gov. Deal leading state push to pass transportation referendum," May 20, 2012
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Athens Banner-Herald "Transit advocates urge 'no' vote on tax," May 5, 2012
- ↑ Atlanta Business Chronicle,"Perdue inks transportation funding measure," June 2, 2010
- ↑ Examiner,"Tax vote to appear on 2012 ballot," June 3, 2010
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