Via Lee Biola, president of Citizens for Progressive Transit:
Georgia’s governor and legislative leaders have called on transit advocates to propose transportation solutions that do not require a tax increase. This follows their failure to allow voters to vote on new regional transportation projects. We at Citizens for Progressive Transit have heard their call and humbly submit the following six tax-free suggestions.
First, sell off legislators’ taxpayer-subsidized parking lots. Legislators do not need free parking. There are two perfectly good MARTA rail stations near the Capitol and direct bus service provided by GRTA, Cobb County Transit and Gwinnett County Transit. Legislators should pay the market rate for parking. Using tax dollars to subsidize legislators clogging our roads just does not make sense. Selling off state-owned parking lots and decks would allow private sector activity on these sites to generate needed tax revenues.
Second, sell the Governor’s Mansion. Use the proceeds to buy the governor a nice condo downtown like the one used by the president of Georgia State University. This would eliminate the need for a taxpayer-subsidized car and driver and allow the next governor to walk to work.
Third, make current tax revenues more flexible. The Georgia Constitution forces drivers who pay the gas tax to subsidize road expansion. Many drivers would prefer to see their taxes invested in safer, more fuel-efficient transportation options like trains and buses. Instead, they are required to subsidize sprawling development that contributes to longer commutes and higher gasoline costs. Amend the constitution to allow gas tax revenues to be used for all transportation purposes.
Fourth, encourage streetcar rail lines in Georgia’s mid-sized cities. Savannah is already leading the way in this area. Streetcars generate walkable private development that can increase local tax revenues and reduce the need for tax increases.
Fifth, locate state offices on transit. Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and other Georgia cities have bus systems and the potential for streetcar rail lines like the one in Savannah. If the state builds new offices or relocates existing ones, top priority should go to locations within a short walk of mass transit stops.
Finally, sell the Downtown Connector. This multibillion-dollar piece of real estate costs tens of millions per year to maintain and generates no property tax revenue. Given property values in Midtown, the state is throwing money away just to subsidize air pollution and dependence on oil. The state should hold on to a right of way on what is now highway for a light rail line.
Drivers who pass through Atlanta would have an incentive to use I-285. Portland and San Francisco got rid of major downtown highways. Why can’t we?
As the governor and legislators have indicated, there are many transportation solutions that do not require a tax increase. Because they seem determined not to allow voters to vote on a new tax for regional projects, we hope they will closely consider these cost-saving and revenue-generating proposals.
Another thrifty fix is to go out and vote in 2010 against Republicans like my own state rep Steve Davis (nice guy, bad votes...).
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