House votes Thursday on transportation tax

On Thursday, the state House of Representatives will vote on a measure that gives communities a say-so in how local tax dollars are spent on transportation. The proposal is a voluntary regional TSPLOST, or transportation special purpose local-option sales tax. The measure is similar to education SPLOSTs, because voters get to decide whether or not to increase their taxes to pay for local transportation projects.

A Constitutional amendment is required to give local governments the authority to enact a one percent transportation sales tax. The regions would, in turn, call for a voter referendum to enact the tax when they need it.

But, the measure has limits. First, the regions must work with the Georgia DOT to come up with a list of projects. And, the proposed T-SPLOST must have a clear and finite ending date. Finally 100 percent of the taxes collected must remain within the local community. The state Senate has already approved a similar TSPLOST proposal.