Anti-Tax Group Braves Rain for Marietta Square Rally

Despite a rainy Saturday afternoon, a few of Cobb's citizens gathered to oppose the upcoming Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax or SPLOST as part of an "Ax the Tax" rally.

James Bell, director of the Georgia Taxpayers Alliance which sponsored the rally, opened the rally with a reminder of the March 15 vote and a rundown of his group's contention that past SPLOST money has been money misspent. One example: 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.

The tax costs of the 1 percent sales tax break down to about $600 per family per year for a total of $492 million over the next four years.

Cobb resident Tricia Clements offered her own samples of waste, such as the cost of studying a proposed light rail system, more than a million dollars, could be completed at a much cheaper price. Other speakers referenced the use of illegal residents to build the new Superior Courthouse building. 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 that 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. on March 13 in hopes 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.