Voters want MARTA Expansion. Will vote down taxes without rail options. (Atlanta: sales, 2015)

[jsvh]

Growing MARTA: A gaffe, and perhaps a game-changing poll | Political Insider blog

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Metro officials will make public an October poll of registered voters in DeKalb and Fulton, which shows that 73 percent — 58 percent among Republicans — favor expansion of MARTA. Pollster John McLaughlin told me that the approval holds up even when only north Fulton responses are tallied.

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The news is in this finding: 49 percent of Fulton and DeKalb voters polled – 46 percent in Fulton – say they would vote against any penny sales tax referendum for transportation that didn’t consider funding for commuter rail.

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Also some good updates on the bill moving through the system in the article. Recommend reading it all.

Albers still wants the bill in his "SLGO" committiee instead of transportation committiee. He is still anti-MARTA but seemed to be considering the results of this study.

Without seeing the poll, Albers — the rail skeptic – acknowledged the shifting situation. “Imagine this balloon, if you will, rising with the potential of doing something. And right now, there’s a thumbtack with MARTA that can pop that balloon,” the Roswell lawmaker said. “Let this sail and get going, and then we’ll get something that’s really meaningful".

[Gulch]

If I lived in Albers' district I would absolutely donate money to his opponent in the next election.

[ATLTJL]

I think it feeds into what I've been saying, which I honestly believe is the thought process of 90% of Atlantans:

Everybody wants rail.

Nobody cares about buses.

If MARTA asks for money, it better have a solid rail expansion plan.

[brown_dog_us]

Originally Posted by Gulch

If I lived in Albers' district I would absolutely donate money to his opponent in the next election.

I lived in his district for years. I knew him before he ran. Let's just say that it's a real testament to his hard work and drive that he is able to get elected to anything.

[AnsleyPark]

Hope you guys in Fulton and Dekalb and Clayton can pull this off!

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Hope you guys in Fulton and Dekalb and Clayton can pull this off!

We do too, mate.

[fieldm]

Duh, that's why it didnt pass in Cobb/ Gwinnett last time

[UrbanConquistador]

“Imagine this balloon, if you will, rising with the potential of doing something. And right now, there’s a thumbtack with MARTA that can pop that balloon,” the Roswell lawmaker said. “Let this sail and get going, and then we’ll get something that’s really meaningful.”

- Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell


Does this fool seriously not realize that HE is the thumbtack here?

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by UrbanConquistador

“Imagine this balloon, if you will, rising with the potential of doing something. And right now, there’s a thumbtack with MARTA that can pop that balloon,” the Roswell lawmaker said. “Let this sail and get going, and then we’ll get something that’s really meaningful.”

- Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell


Does this fool seriously not realize that HE is the thumbtack here?

What he said makes no sense.

[jsvh]

FYI - If anyone is available tomorrow (2/9) afternoon, some groups are organizing to go to these committee meetings to show support for the MARTA expansion bills:

Now is the time to mobilize. On Tuesday at 2 p.m., Senator Brandon Beach’s (R-Alpharetta) MARTA expansion bill (SB 313) will be heard by the State and Local Government committee. This hearing is an important moment for the effort to expand MARTA rail and we need to pack the committee room with supporters as an important demonstration to the committee of the support this effort has.

While nearly identical legislation (SB 330) will be appearing before the Transportation Committee at 4 p.m., the bill needs strong representation and support at the 2 p.m.hearing.

What: All hands on deck needed to show up and support MARTA expansion

Where: Georgia Capitol, Room 125; 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334.

When: Tuesday, Feb, 9; 1 p.m. press conference (location will be sent shortly, sign the linked to petition from Advance Atlanta to get their updates). 2 p.m. committee meeting.