Vote No on July 31 - Stop Taxing the Middle Class/Poor Unjustly (Decatur: transportation, commuter)

[mike7586]

Originally Posted by toll_booth

MARTA should raise their fares even more? Are you kidding me? It's already more expensive than the Chicago L, the New York subway, and the Boston metro!

How about our lovely state legislature finally get rid of that stupid 50/50 requirement instead?

Exactly... and it isn't as extensive as those other systems. Raising fares even more is not going to solve the problem because it will have a negative effect on ridership. I think they really should consider a distance based fare system, similar to DC instead of a flat rate system like they have now... in a way that is like raising fares, because the farther you go, the more you pay... but I think more people would use MARTA for shorter/medium length trips if a distance based fare system was in place... but just raising the flat rate fare above $2.50 one way will do more harm then good.

The 50/50 requirement needs to go and the state needs to start pitching in some sort of dedicated funds. MARTA has pretty good ridership for its size... imagine if we could expand it... it's really unfortunate.

[belleislerunner]

"As the job creators, they have their finger on the pulse of what's needed to get our region back on track."

If you were to vote for this bill - you would be the job creator - not business. It's just a ploy to take your money and give it to others (i.e. creating jobs). That 1% added tax comes from everyone - so there's no wealth creation as suddenly 5 million people are 1% poorer and 32,000 people have jobs. Redistrubution of wealth.

[cqholt]

Do I think people in Valdosta should be heavily subsidizing a MARTA rider....nope

They currently are not since the state give $0 to MARTA.

I'm not and never have been "against transit" but I am against transfer payments from taxpayers to non-taxpayers, and I'm against government heavily subsidizing a service that serves very few in relative terms

You saying that people on MARTA do not pay taxes, because everyone pays taxes. Sales taxes, income taxes, property taxes, there are several types of taxes. If you are insinuating that most people on MARTA are on welfare or EBT, then you are wrong. There are several thousand working class and professional people on the train. Not to mention the students that ride MARTA to the areas several colleges.

I'm not arguing this, but if the 50/50 requirement was waived and MARTA spent all the money on operating expenses, wouldn't they just go deeper in the hole for maintenance and capital expenditures

No, MARTA would be able to pay its bills and perform maintenance. Maintenance is operational, not capital. At least MARTA does a great job on track maintenance, its the escalators that most people complain about. But even if escalators are broke they still work as stairs. The restrooms being closed is required by Homeland Security, but several stations have restrooms with attendants on duty to open them for you.

[ehoez]

why is there more signs to vote "yes" for this TSPOLSH. VS mitt Romney & Obama campain COMBINED?

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by ehoez

why is there more signs to vote "yes" for this TSPOLSH. VS mitt Romney & Obama campain COMBINED?

A lot of people know how important this is and really want it to pass.

[cabasse]

Originally Posted by belleislerunner

"As the job creators, they have their finger on the pulse of what's needed to get our region back on track."

If you were to vote for this bill - you would be the job creator - not business. It's just a ploy to take your money and give it to others (i.e. creating jobs). That 1% added tax comes from everyone - so there's no wealth creation as suddenly 5 million people are 1% poorer and 32,000 people have jobs. Redistrubution of wealth.

no, this isn't welfare. these are people that would have jobs, and we will have additional and much needed transportation infrastructure.

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by mike7586

Exactly... and it isn't as extensive as those other systems. Raising fares even more is not going to solve the problem because it will have a negative effect on ridership. I think they really should consider a distance based fare system, similar to DC instead of a flat rate system like they have now... in a way that is like raising fares, because the farther you go, the more you pay... but I think more people would use MARTA for shorter/medium length trips if a distance based fare system was in place... but just raising the flat rate fare above $2.50 one way will do more harm then good.

The 50/50 requirement needs to go and the state needs to start pitching in some sort of dedicated funds. MARTA has pretty good ridership for its size... imagine if we could expand it... it's really unfortunate.

I agree. I think asking our dear state legislature to fund MARTA at all may be too much to ask in this political climate, but at the very least, you'd think they might finally drop the 50/50. You'd think.

I do like the idea of distance-based fares, but it'd have to be done carefully. The average trip is probably about half the length of the lines.

[atltechdude]

Originally Posted by ehoez

why is there more signs to vote "yes" for this TSPOLSH. VS mitt Romney & Obama campain COMBINED?

Because this election is in 3 days. The presidential election is in 3 months.

[runninforthewest]

Another TAX in another STATE in another CITY to make up for all of the ROOT of the EVIL. If this state was not so over-run by horrible crime, schools, individuals, and policies that catered to the leaches, then and only then would new taxes make since.
NO ONE addresses the real problem of this whole mess, and the fact that we have officials that distribute tax dollars to programs that do nothing but but a band-aid on a broken arm does nothing less than perpetuate the real problem. Atlanta is nothing more than a pre-Detroit. Placating to the black onslaught of gimmie-gimmie, and nothing matters except black elected officials. We all see where that gets American cities. Kids terrified for their lives, and nothing matters except PC PR about how everything is some white guy's fault!!!!
I can not WAIT to leave this horrific place behind, and move on to a place with some sort of VALUE and COMMON SENSE,,,,,,A place that is far from the ghetto embraced idea that we are all part of some divine diverse utopia. Heads-up ----- WE ARE NOT, and until people stand up and acknowledge that, they are all living with their heads in the sand.

[Mossberg]

Originally Posted by runninforthewest

Another TAX in another STATE in another CITY to make up for all of the ROOT of the EVIL. If this state was not so over-run by horrible crime, schools, individuals, and policies that catered to the leaches, then and only then would new taxes make since.
NO ONE addresses the real problem of this whole mess, and the fact that we have officials that distribute tax dollars to programs that do nothing but but a band-aid on a broken arm does nothing less than perpetuate the real problem. Atlanta is nothing more than a pre-Detroit. Placating to the black onslaught of gimmie-gimmie, and nothing matters except black elected officials. We all see where that gets American cities. Kids terrified for their lives, and nothing matters except PC PR about how everything is some white guy's fault!!!!
I can not WAIT to leave this horrific place behind, and move on to a place with some sort of VALUE and COMMON SENSE,,,,,,A place that is far from the ghetto embraced idea that we are all part of some divine diverse utopia. Heads-up ----- WE ARE NOT, and until people stand up and acknowledge that, they are all living with their heads in the sand.

The most educated and well-spoken post I've ever read.....


Where is the ban stick when you need it?