Not This SPLOST at This Time

By J.D. Van Brink

As a general statement, the Georgia Tea Party supports transitioning the federal, state and local tax systems to a consumption tax to replace the income tax (both individual and corporate) and the property tax. We do not support using the tax system for social engineering, class warfare, or for picking winners and losers in the free-market economy.

All retail products and services should be taxed at the same rate with no deductions, exemptions or rebates. Simplicity is the key to fairness.

Relatively speaking, Cobb County is a great place to live. Sure, we have things we can improve, but it is hard to argue with the fact that we have the best public schools in the state, and, in the metro Atlanta area, we have the lowest property taxes and are tied for the lowest sales taxes. Some may say Cobb County has prospered in spite of the decisions of the commissioners, but I do not take that position.

However, when we fell on difficult economic times, it revealed our Achilles' heel: We have been operating all this time without a strategic plan for our budget process. While I am encouraged that the current leadership is developing just such a plan, this should have been resolved before we voted on an extension of the SPLOST.

Specifically regarding the proposed Cobb County SPLOST, the Georgia Tea Party favors the SPLOST concept as a superior method of taxation, but we are opposed to this particular SPLOST for a variety of reasons.

First and foremost is the lack of a strategic plan for our budget process. We should first decide what we need (and, to a much lesser extent, want) and how much it will cost, then decide how best to pay for it.

A close second is the date of the election, which does not truly reflect the will of the people and is a poor use of the estimated $400,000 it will cost to hold a special, single-issue election. We support holding SPLOST elections on the first Tuesday in November on presidential and midterm election years to maximize voter turnout. We have self-government and should respect the sovereignty of the people.

Third, the project list contains too many items that are not necessary in this economy and are for special interests rather than the public at large. This is a statement of fact, not an accusation of corruption.

It is important to note that this SPLOST is about the process more than about the people involved. This is a principled disagreement among friends, and regardless of what happens Tuesday, we will all need to roll up our sleeves and work together to decide as a county what we expect from our government within the constraints of the law, and we will work to change the law if necessary.

J.D. Van Brink is the chairman of the board of directors for the Georgia Tea Party.