2012 Atlanta Region Transportation Referendum (Dallas, Lake City: zip codes, assessment, move to)

[cqholt]

There is a railroad row from east lake Tucker that would have cut down on expenses.

[JPD]

PolitiFact | Transportation tax takes turn on Truth-O-Meter

[K-SawDude]

I agree very much with the critique of the pro-TSPLOST campaign in this editorial:

Transportation sales tax campaign needs to target voters likely to vote yes | SaportaReport

So far, the campaign has been targeting Republican, conservative voters in the suburbs — people who tend not to support new taxes. And the campaign seems to be ignoring Democratic voters inside the perimeter who would be more likely to vote for the tax. . . .

Campaign leaders rightfully say that it is impossible to come up with a list of transportation projects that would please everyone in the metro area. They also are right to say that some believe there are too many road projects while others believe there are too many transit projects.
Of course, one approach would be to turn those sentiments around by arguing there’s something for everyone — that this is a project list that had unanimous buy-in from the top elected leaders in the region. . . .

Instead of focusing on “likely voters” who have gone to the polls in previous Republican primaries, the campaign should focus on getting “likely yes voters” to the polls. That means putting together a well-funded campaign that targets your more urban and liberal communities that welcome and support transit. . . .

Well the days are ticking away. We still don’t have a bold, clear message on bumper stickers. And while we know the strong “no” voters will turn out, we are quickly running out of time to get a campaign aimed at the people who are most likely to vote yes for the transportation tax.

I've been a little surprised that the entire campaign so far has just been "Untie Atlanta." I agree that that won't play as well for ITP ATL folks, a number of which have no idea that there are significant transit portions (i.e. the Beltine segments) as ITP projects in the T-SPLOST.

[cqholt]

People should actually read the entire proposal and project list before deciding on how their gonna vote.

[JPD]

Clark Howard endorses transportation tax | Atlanta News & Opinion Blog | Fresh Loaf | Creative Loafing Atlanta

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by JPD

PolitiFact | Transportation tax takes turn on Truth-O-Meter

It would be nice to see the assumptions and calculations used. The one that stood out to me as being the most questionable is:

"The typical metro Atlanta household spends more than 52 percent of its income on housing and transportation combined. This is higher than the national average, which is slightly more than 51 percent."

I would love to see the data behind that SWAG. Even if the aggregate number is true, what is the breakdown between housing and transportation, and how does TSPLOST help reduce housing costs, which in Atlanta are some of the lowest in the country for a big city metro. What do they consider "transportation costs" and does insurance factor into that cost structure? Again...what are the "transportation costs" that can be affected by the TSPLOST versus those that cannot.

[tonygeorgia]

Originally Posted by jpd

clark howard endorses transportation tax | atlanta news & opinion blog | fresh loaf | creative loafing atlanta

:d

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by neil0311

It would be nice to see the assumptions and calculations used. The one that stood out to me as being the most questionable is:

"The typical metro Atlanta household spends more than 52 percent of its income on housing and transportation combined. This is higher than the national average, which is slightly more than 51 percent."

I would love to see the data behind that SWAG. Even if the aggregate number is true, what is the breakdown between housing and transportation, and how does TSPLOST help reduce housing costs, which in Atlanta are some of the lowest in the country for a big city metro. What do they consider "transportation costs" and does insurance factor into that cost structure? Again...what are the "transportation costs" that can be affected by the TSPLOST versus those that cannot.

It honestly wouldn't shock me if Atlanta's transportation costs are a little above average. There are probably variations based on age, location and things like that, but the 50% figure is in the range I've always heard.

Focus on Prices and Spending | Consumer Expenditure | Volume 2, Number 12

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by JPD

Clark Howard endorses transportation tax | Atlanta News & Opinion Blog | Fresh Loaf | Creative Loafing Atlanta

If Clark is for it you know it's a good deal financially.

I realize there are still a lot of folks who oppose the referendum on emotional and/or political grounds. However, in terms of (a) bringing Atlanta back as a top tier city and (b) actually getting things done, it's a no-brainer.

As they say, the folks who are really eager to see this blocked are in places like Phoenix, Dallas and Charlotte. If this squeaks by we still have a chance to get back in the race but I worry that it's too little too late.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by neil0311

It would be nice to see the assumptions and calculations used. The one that stood out to me as being the most questionable is:

"The typical metro Atlanta household spends more than 52 percent of its income on housing and transportation combined. This is higher than the national average, which is slightly more than 51 percent."

I would love to see the data behind that SWAG. Even if the aggregate number is true, what is the breakdown between housing and transportation, and how does TSPLOST help reduce housing costs, which in Atlanta are some of the lowest in the country for a big city metro. What do they consider "transportation costs" and does insurance factor into that cost structure? Again...what are the "transportation costs" that can be affected by the TSPLOST versus those that cannot.

I just don't agree with the statement that it is higher than the national average. If the national average is slightly more than 51% then to me, more than 52% is pretty much at the national average given the inexactness of the measure. Nothing alarming about that statistic.