Lt. Governor Touts TSPLOST

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Metro Atlanta Chamber President Sam Williams were among supporters of the regional transportation sales tax referendum who lobbied for its passage Tuesday night in Alpharetta.

The held a fundraiser to answer questions about the , which will go before voters July 31. They also were ready to collect checks on behalf of Citizens for Transportation Mobility to continue what they call an education process.

Thus far, the proposed 10-county, 10-year, 1 percent sales tax for transportation projects .

How will you vote on the TSPLOST referendum July 31? Why?

Andy Macke, who heads the North Fulton Chamber's push to get the 1 percent regional sales tax passed, touted a predicted 4-to-1 return on investment for the estimated $8 billion collected over 10 years. He reminded people of the time they spend in traffic while taking their kids to soccer practice and school events.

Cagle said the traffic congestion has forced companies to reduce the geographic area from which they can recruit workers.

When Gov. Nathan Deal speaks at the May 22 Eggs & Enterprise Breakfast in Johns Creek, he and the anticipated 500 attendees will be given green T-shirts to wear around the neighborhood that ask residents to support the referendum.

"There are a lot of factors that will enter into reasons why someone would not vote for the referendum," Cagle said. "One is, let's face it, this is a tough economic time, and there is a huge anti-tax mentality at whatever level. And so that sentiment is out there."

Macke said Comcast is spending $100,000 to educate voters on the issue. see such education as actual promotion for the tax.

The anti-TSPLOST group Transportation Leadership Coalition is trying to challenge proponents on project costs, maintenance and alternatives when they make such public appearances.

Residents can use an interactive map on the Atlanta Regional Commission's website to learn about the projects in the 10-county region.