Repeal TIA Says Valdosta

This is the resolution to repeal T-SPLOST that was passed this month by the Lowndes County Republican Party:

RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE REPEAL OF GEORGIA’S
TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT ACT OF 2010 (TIA)

WHEREAS, The Georgia Republican Party stands for limited government, lower taxes, ethical government and the reduction in the size and scope of government; and

WHEREAS, the TIA is forecast by the Georgia DOT to tax Georgians $18,666,600,000 over the next 10-years. The current annual transportation budget being $1,937,289,116 plus proposed TIA of $1,866,600,000 in 2013 would be $3,803,899,116 - a massive and unwarranted 96% increase in transportation spending for 10-years; and

WHEREAS, The TIA increases the size and scope of government and establishes another layer of government (Regional Round Tables), which has 36 voting members in the Southern Region -only two of which are elected by or accountable to Lowndes County citizens. The result being the forced “redistribution of wealth” in the sum of $90,000,000 from Lowndes County to other counties in the Southern Region. This is taxation without representation; and

WHEREAS, Governor Deal, the Legislature, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, lobbyists, and special interest groups claim our transportation infrastructure is crumbling and inhibiting “economic recovery.” Yet, Business Facilities, an independent objective rating service, in 2010 the year the TIA was passed, ranked Georgia 7th in the nation in transportation Infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, the Governor claims transportation is the primary issue inhibiting economic recovery in Georgia. Georgia has led the nation in bank failures since 2007, with a total of 73 banks failing and currently 152 banks listed by Weiss Research as D and E rated (troubled) with only seven banks listed A or B (strong). As many as 66 banks could fail this year if the economy worsens, it is self-evident the economy is the primary issue in Georgia.

WHEREAS, the TIA would remove $18 billion through taxation from the private sector of the economy to the non-productive public sector, and free market economists agree you can NOT improve economics with a tax. Winston Churchill said, ”For a government to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket trying to lift himself up by the handle.”; and

WHEREAS, the Republican Party stands for free enterprise, personal responsibility, and government accountability to the voters. The TIA forces Regional Government and redistribution of wealth from wealthy counties to poor counties based on need, peer pressure, and mob rule. Redistribution of wealth is an underlying tenant of Socialism promoted by Karl Marx: from each (county) according to its ability, to each (county) according to its need. This is the exact purpose and function of the Regional Commission; and

WHEREAS, Socialism is the core principal of the Democratic Party, it should not be practiced, legislated or promoted by Republicans in Georgia who have worked tirelessly to promote the Republican Party and its principles of lower taxes and limited government. Holding the majority of elected constitutional offices in Georgia is of little consequence unless we insist that the popular Republican principles that brought us here are adhered to by our elected representatives in their policies and laws. Republicans must demand Republican principles in government; and

WHEREAS, the TIA violates and eliminates the “Home Rule” provision, Article IX Section II of the Georgia Constitution, thus severely limiting the constitutional power of the people, and violates a primary tenant of self-determination espoused in the Constitution of Georgia; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lowndes County Republican Party has voted to call for the repeal the Transportation Investment Act of 2010 (TIA), the repeal of the Ballot Question and the associated penalties that punish constitutionally adherent and fiscally responsible counties by the punitive Act.

Approved and adopted the 17th day of January, 2012 by the Lowndes County Republican Party.
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Nolen P. Cox, Chairman Sandy Chaput, Secretary