GTA in the news: MDJ Reports
From Don McKee, MDJ Columnist:
The opposition is getting organized against the proposed Transportation Investment Act or TSPLOST to be voted on July 31. And not a moment too soon: Already the chambers of commerce and other deep-pocket backers are spending big bucks supporting the added one-cent regional sales tax in the 10-county metro area.
Now the Georgia Taxpayers Alliance says it will “lead a grassroots campaign” to defeat the TSPLOST, estimated to cost metro taxpayers “more than $7 billion over 10 years.” James Bell, director of the alliance, announced the campaign Wednesday.
“We’re working with a coalition being formed,” Bell said in a telephone interview yesterday. The coalition is expected to include the tea party and other groups opposing the regional sales tax that would raise an estimated $6.14 billion over 10 years.
Bell, a Lithia Springs videographer, said he and his alliance co-founder, Ron Williams, a Gwinnett County barber, do not “do membership” but instead work in building coalitions. He said he is in the process of “identifying 10 activists in 10 counties” to work against the TSPLOST by going to town hall meetings to speak up and help in other ways to energize a grassroots movement. The plan is for the anti-TSPLOST activists to use social networks, write letters to editors and stage public demonstrations, among other activities.
“Our first rally is probably going to be in Gwinnett County,” Bell said. “We will go county by county in the metro area.” But he acknowledged, “It’s like David and Goliath.”
