Voters doubtful about transportation tax - CBS Atlanta 46
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Betty Buckner, a senior citizen on a fixed income, can't afford to spend an extra penny on every dollar to buy her groceries. That's why she voted against the transportation tax known as T-SPLOST.
"I just feel it's not a good thing tight now," Buckner said. "It would hurt a lot, not only me but other senior on fixed income."
Buckner is one of the thousands of people casting their ballots on the last day of early voting, just four days ahead of the state primaries.
Next Tuesday, people who have not already voted will decide if they want to raise metro Atlanta's sales tax one penny on the dollar to pay for billions of dollars of overhauls to the region's roads and rails.
Buckner echoes the opinions of many voters around metro Atlanta. According to a CBS Atlanta web poll, 81 percent of people who responded opposed T-SPLOST. Only 19 percent said they'd vote for it.
Luray Boyle, who voted against T-SPLOST, said she does not trust politicians will spend the money where they say they will.
"There's promises every election. Nothing gets delivered," Boyle said.
Brett Hardin, who voted for T-SPLOST, said he trusts that the money allocated for programs covered under the proposed tax would largely be spent properly. And he said metro Atlanta's aging roads and trains need major upgrades.
"The congestion is hurting business, hurting communities and I feel strongly we need a coordinated effort," Hardin said. "We need to do something to help with transportation."
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