Cobb SPLOST Foes Ramp Up Protests

Bad weather over the weekend didn't deter opponents of the Cobb Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, and they have another "Ax the Tax" rally planned Sunday, two days before the referendum.

James Bell, director of the Georgia Taxpayers Alliance, which sponsored Saturday's rainy rally on Marietta Square, reminded those in the crowd about the the March 15 vote and offered a rundown of his group's contention that past SPLOST money has been misspent.

One example is the recent removal of trees that had been planted along Piedmont Road, which will be replaced with new trees as part of an appropriation in the new SPLOST.

According to rally participants, the cost of the 1 percent sales tax breaks down to about $600 a year per Cobb County family for $92 million over four years. The new SPLOST would kick in Jan. 1, 2012, and would keep the total sales tax in the county at 6 percent.

Cobb resident Tricia Clements offered her own examples of waste, such as the cost of studying a proposed light-rail system,which she said could be done for far less than the price tag of more than $1 million. Other speakers referenced the use of illegal residents to build the new Superior Courthouse. Phrases such as “taxed enough” and “slush fund” were common comments.

Arguments from supporters and county officials that 30 percent of SPLOST funds actually come from non-Cobb residents hardly placated the opponents. They said the money could be better spent by the families who live in Cobb if they were allowed to keep it in their own pockets.

Opponents of the SPLOST have scheduled a second "Ax the Tax" gathering for 1 p.m. March 13 in the hope of better weather. 

For more information about the SPLOST, visit http://www.cobbsplost2011.org/ for an overview of the projects, http://www.cobbsfuture.org/ for a supporting view and http://www.votenomarch15.com for an opposing one.