Why Vote “No” for TSPLOST? 

 “Negative Return on Investment”

By Viola Davis RN BSN

Who invests $10.00 to receive less than $6.00 back, thus a loss of $4.00? Better yet, who would make such an investment after being informed in advance that the profit will be less than the investment?  Did we say profit? We meant to say financial loss, deficit, or negative return on investment.  The objective of investing is to “make a profit."

The Transportation Investment Act (HB277) is a 1 percent transportation tax known as TSPLOST (Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) which will be a referendum on the ballot in July 2012.  Unfortunately, we have evidence that TSPLOST will deliver a “Negative Return On Investment” for DeKalb and Fulton County. 

We have received documents that detail the Return on Investment for each county in Metro Atlanta; however, we focused on DeKalb, Fulton, and the City of Atlanta. We were very concerned about the overall benefit DeKalb and Fulton County will receive from TSPLOST because both counties have already invested over 6 billion dollars in 30 years on the transportation foundation of Metro Atlanta. The 1 percent transportation tax (MARTA tax) both counties pay will continue along with the TSPLOST, thus costing the taxpayers and voters 2 percent overall. We must not forget this fact. 

If you had a broker push a $100.00 stock to receive a negative return of $50.00, would you keep that broker?  Well, the people pushing TSPLOST are politicians instead of brokers. Politicians pushing TSPLOST will not tell you the truth about the return you can expect on your money.  Fortunately, there are people in public office that want the taxpayers and voters to be informed of the “truth” about the Transportation Investment Act.  These elected officials are public servants and want to take the best action for their constituents. 

After receiving documents detailing the Return on Investment for DeKalb, Fulton, and City of Atlanta, we elevated our call for a “no” vote for TSPLOST because the documents proved the following:

• Transportation Investment Act Return on Investment for DeKalb County estimated the TIA revenue generated is $1,017.2 million (just over one billion dollars); however, the direct investment will deliver approximately $556.8 million in DeKalb County. In other words, most of the money will benefit the City of Atlanta and results in a negative investment for the county as a whole. This will prove to be detrimental because the taxpayers and voters of DeKalb County will continue to pay the 1 percent tax for the operation and maintenance for MARTA. Once again, DeKalb County will pay 2 percent in transportation tax while the other counties pay one percent.

• Transportation Investment Act Return on Investment for Fulton County estimated the TIA revenue generated is $1,237.6 million (just over 1.2 billion); however, the direct investment will deliver approximately $920.6 million within Fulton County.  In other words, Fulton County will receive more of its money than DeKalb County; however, a large amount of funding will benefit the City of Atlanta.

• Transportation Investment Act Return on Investment for the City of Atlanta estimated TIA revenue generated $914.7 million; however, the direct investments will deliver approximately $895.7 million within the City of Atlanta.  In other words, the City of Atlanta will have the greatest gain from the TSPLOST because their investment will amount to over 2 billion ($2.156.5 million) dollars in return on investment overall.  Compared to both DeKalb and Fulton County, the City of Atlanta stands to receive the greatest return on investment.  However, will investing in the City of Atlanta solve our congestion/traffic problems?  

Vote “No” for TSPLOST because the Transportation Investment Act will deliver a negative Return on Investment. As taxpayers and voters, we must demand a viable solution to our transportation problems instead of another tax that simply pulls more money out of the average person’s pocket.