In March of 2019 Gwinnett County voters roundly rejected expanding MARTA into the county, with a difference of some 8,000 votes. That coming despite a massive pro-transit effort that included broad bipartisan support, including that of Republican Sheriff Butch Conway, former Gov. Nathan Deal, and county Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash.
Indeed following the defeat, Nash told reporters “This is a pause, not an end.”
A short pause indeed. The first time the county voted on joining MARTA was in 1971 – the proposal was met with a resounding “no.” The second was 19 years later in 1990 – the response the same. After a third no vote in 2019 this pause didn’t last long, as Gwinnett residents will take to the polls once again in November to vote on transit expansion, though this time the proposal looks slightly different, and potentially more palatable.
The referendum on the ballot technically calls for the institution of a special, 30-year one-cent sales tax will be levied to pay for transit expansion projects. Those projects will include an expansion of the existing Gwinnett County Transit with additional bus rapid transit, express service, and the extension of heavy rail to at least the Jimmy Carter Boulevard corridor. While that heavy rail would be operated by MARTA, (under state law all heavy rail in Atlanta must be) the county would not be fully joining MARTA itself.
And once again, business groups are marshaling their forces behind the pro-transit flag, with the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce the latest to make a public display of support for the sales tax hike. “Concerning Gwinnett’s economic potential, the development of transportation alternatives is essential for retaining and attracting new and expanded businesses and high-paying jobs,” Gwinnett Chamber President & CEO Nick Masino said in a statement.
With the referendum on a November general election, transit supporters may have more cause for optimism. Many transit advocates were upset that the county commission voted to place last year’s vote in March, instead of in the 2018 general election. Historically Democrats, (and pro-transit voters tend to skew left) have worse turnout in special elections.
However with another possible tax hike on the ballot, this one for a education special purpose local option sales tax for Gwinnett County Public Schools and Buford City Schools, will Gwinnett voters have the stomach to vote for multiple tax increases in a year that has seen the economy decimated by COVID and thousands lose their jobs?
Joe Newton, one of the key voices behind the “vote no” movement, thinks this vote will go much the way of the last one.
“Tax revenues are down in every state in the country,” Newton told IAG. “These reductions threaten the extinction of major transit agencies. Even after Trump sent New York City billions of dollars the transit agency remains crippled. Only a fool would believe that ridership could generate anything near the projected farebox revenue in the Gwinnett plan.”
As for his prediction for the vote? “Our victory margin will be substantially larger. I am looking forward to this election.”
