Pictured is the Georgia state Capitol. Staff file photo.ATLANTA – Confusion erupted at the state Capitol on Wednesday as an effort stalled to push back until the 2012 general election the public vote on a proposed tax hike for transportation.
A spokesman for Gov. Nathan Deal said early Wednesday that Republican leaders had reached an agreement that would pave the way for moving the vote. But House Speaker David Ralston said it’s too early to declare a deal.
The public votes were set for the July 2012 primary. Now, supporters, including the governor, are calling to move the vote to November to increase voter participation.
Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said the agreement would move all local tax votes to the November 2012 election – not just the transportation vote – addressing concerns from tea party groups. Earlier this year, Georgia lawmakers voted to allow 12 regions throughout the state to ask residents whether to approve a 1 cent sales tax hike to fund a pre-approved list of projects.
The transportation fight is expected to be fiercest in the metro Atlanta region, where congestion is among the worst in the nation. Officials in the 10-county Atlanta region on Monday approved a $6.14 billion draft list of transportation projects.