With 63 percent of the voters saying no, the transportation tax referendum was soundly defeated on Tuesday.
The 10-year, 1 percent sales tax increase would have generated more than $7 billion for projects in the metro Atlanta area. The measure had the support of many business and civic leaders, including Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal.
Supporters spent millions on TV and radio ads pitching the transportation tax as a way to reduce gridlock and create jobs in metro Atlanta.
In the end, it appeared that voters sided with groups such as the Atlanta Tea Party, the Sierra Club and the NAACP to reject the proposal.
"This should send a wake-up call to elected officials that is that the people are tired of you asking for our tax money when you have not proven that you can spend what you have wisely," said Debbie Dooley of the Atlanta Tea Party.
That sentiment was shared by Mayor Reed, who said he would work with T-SPLOST's opponents to come up with an alternative solution to Atlanta's traffic problems.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:24 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:24:30 GMT
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:10 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:10:38 GMT
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters.
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters during Sunday's downpour.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:00 PM EDT2013-05-19 18:00:39 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, telling graduates to take the power of their example-- as black men graduating from college-- and use it to improve people's lives.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:53:40 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday, marking the first time a sitting president has made a commencement address in Georgia since 1938. See photos from his visit to Atlanta here!
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:09 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:09:05 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
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