Chamber President to Barrow Journal: TSPLOST Money Will Fund Local Projects, Not MARTA, Beltlines or HOT Lanes
"Our money will stay right here, in Northeast Georgia, to improve transportation problems that WE want to fix," Tommy Jennings writes.
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In an editorial posted online by the Barrow Journal, Chamber of Commerce President Tommy Jennings seeks to clear up what he calls misconceptions of the proposed transportation sales tax referendum, also known as TSPLOST.
If passed, the 2012 TSPLOST bill is expected to generate more than $18 billion statewide over a 10-year period from a one cent sales tax for the purpose of tackling a laundry list of transportation projects, including intersection and road improvements in Barrow County.
Jennings writes that some of the more prevalent misconceptions regarding the tax are that:
- “Once in place, this tax will never go away.”
- “The money will go to GDOT for them to waste.”
- “Why raise more funds for transportation? Let the DOT live within it’s means.”
Click here to read what Jennings has to say about these statements and which local projects will be funded if the referendum is passed by voters July 31.
Barrow County Board of Commissioners Chairman Danny Yearwood said recently he opposes the proposed transportation sales tax, according to a story by the Athens Banner-Herald.
Find out what people are saying about TSPLOST and give us your "two cents."
- So Where Do You Stand on TSPLOST?
- Using Other People's Money
- First of Three TSPLOST Meetings Draws Few Residents
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In This article
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Barrow Journal
77 E May St, Winder, GA -
Barrow County Chamber of Commerce
6 Porter St, Winder, GA -
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Wanda Rice
4:48 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
I appreciate the comments Mr. Jennings gave us concerning the upcoming vote on TSPLOST, but I have serious concerns about:
"The fact is, 25% of the funds will go to local governments, both cities and county."
So, Mr. Jennings, what will happen with the other 75% if the TSPLOST funds are "NOT" going to help fund MARTA and other Metro Atlanta needed transportation projects?
Deanna Allen
5:50 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
Good question. I've forwarded it to the chamber and hope to hear back. I'm curious about that, too.
Deanna Allen
5:55 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
Do you plan to vote for or against TSPLOST on July 31? How did you make your decision? If undecided, what information would you like to see before making a decision?
Tommy Jennings
10:18 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Thanks to Barrow Patch for posting the T-SPLOST editorial and information. Thank you, Deanna, for getting me Ms. Rice's question, too.
Ms. Rice, the 75% of the money raised will go to projects within the Northeast Georgia area. These projects are already designated and planned, and agreed that they are important to the Northeast Georgia area, of which Barrow County is a part (and to clarify, the Metro Atlanta area is in the Atlanta Region, while Barrow County is in the Northeast Georgia Region).
The projects designated include, for Barrow County, limited-access interchanges on hwy 316, to reduce the chances for injuries on that busy thoroughfare, the West Winder By-pass, which will finally get built, a straightening of Kilkrease Road, that connects Auburn and Hwy 316, intersection improvements at Cedar Creek Rd and 211, 211 and Auburn-County Line Road, Dooley Town Rd in Statham, and resurfacing of Hwy 8, between Hwy 53 and the Oconee County Line
There are several other projects for which the 75% monies are to be used in Barrow County. This is just a portion.
Ms. Rice, thank you for your question, and your interest today.