How does this relate???  In Atlanta, the general public (the voter) is like the mom. Until the road is built, improved, etc…talk about it is futile.  The transportation community (of which I consider myself) is like Phineas and Ferb.  We can solve any traffic problem using technology and/or new construction.  Money is no object (we wish!).  Those opposing the T-SPLOST are somewhat like Candace, they are trying to convince the public that the projects in the T-SPLOST are either the wrong ones, or they cost too much or simply that we’re already over-taxed.   In reality the project plans don’t disappear if there is no T-SPLOST, they just never bet built… or we keep getting schoolyard solutions like moving the stripe at the I-85/GA 400 interchange.

Not to pick on another childhood story, but the public doesn’t like to hear the transportation leaders cry wolf.  In the late 90′s the buzz was the Northern Bypass…never happened.  John Oxendine promoted the GA 400 to I-675 tunnel while running for governor…I have lost count how many times the I-75/_I-575 HOT lane project has been turned off and on.  I think it is currently “on” but don’t hold your breath…Those not understanding that transit needs density, are clamoring to extend the Red Line to Holcomb Bridge or even North Point Mall or Windward…

I fear that the list of projects that are on the T-SPLOST look like more of the same…pipe dreams the public thinks will never happen – EVEN IF THE VOTE PASSES.

If the T-SPLOST vote is to pass, the voter must look past Candace (the nay-sayers – including the Tea Party*) and even Phineas and Ferb (the transportation community) and turn to the real selling point – the need to upgrade our transportation infrastructure to keep jobs here and coming here.  I have not seen evidence of a champion (an anti-Candace so to speak) of the T-SPLOST vote – only the commercials that have begun to air (untieatlanta.com).  There needs to be someone of high visibility promoting this vote if they expect it to have a chance of passing.  I think this person needs to be a Republican -because everyone assumes only Democrats can support a tax.  A Republican who sees this as a rare necessary new tax would have some credibility and might lead other like-minded Republicans to vote in support.

*BTW I agree with the Tea Party much of the time but this is an exception