With 63 percent of the voters saying no, the transportation tax referendum was soundly defeated on Tuesday.
The 10-year, 1 percent sales tax increase would have generated more than $7 billion for projects in the metro Atlanta area. The measure had the support of many business and civic leaders, including Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal.
Supporters spent millions on TV and radio ads pitching the transportation tax as a way to reduce gridlock and create jobs in metro Atlanta.
In the end, it appeared that voters sided with groups such as the Atlanta Tea Party, the Sierra Club and the NAACP to reject the proposal.
"This should send a wake-up call to elected officials that is that the people are tired of you asking for our tax money when you have not proven that you can spend what you have wisely," said Debbie Dooley of the Atlanta Tea Party.
That sentiment was shared by Mayor Reed, who said he would work with T-SPLOST's opponents to come up with an alternative solution to Atlanta's traffic problems.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:06:52 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:01 GMT
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:32:57 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:28:55 GMT
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
