News, updates, commentary and more from BikeAthens. BikeAthens is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Athens, GA. BikeAthens promotes transportation and land-use policies that improve alternative modes of transportation, including pedestrian, cycling, and public transit options. The mission of our organization is to make alternative transportation a practical, convenient, and safe option for all citizens of Athens-Clarke County.

Friday, March 28, 2008

GREAT News! T-SPLOST passes!

UPDATE I:
Link to General Assembly page for Senate Resolution 845 (includes full text, current status, etc.)
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Excellent tidings from today's Banner-Herald:

Casting traffic congestion as a family-values issue, the state House of Representatives voted Thursday to give local governments the option of levying a 1 percent sales-tax hike to fund regional transportation projects.

The proposed constitutional amendment passed 136-35, easily earning the needed two-thirds majority.

Voters still must approve the measure in November. The House plan also must be reconciled with a version that passed the Senate.

Full article via link above.

BikeAthens has been pushing for some form of this type of tax for years now, so this news comes as a happy surprise. We will review the text of the House bill and post commentary on it soon.

In the meantime, thanks to Rep. Heard, Sen. Cowsert, and all who have lent their support to this long overdue legislation. Paired with sustained general support, these types of locally controlled TSPLOSTs will allow us to greatly expand our transit services.

Expanded transit means more opportunities for more people, cleaner air, and, potentially, a community-wide reduction in petroleum use as more people utilize transit.


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