Georgia Voters Reject Transportation Tax

Georgia voters in nine of 12 state regions rejected a 1% sales tax to pay for transportation projects, the Associated Press reported.

Tuesday’s ballot measure, which was defeated by 63% to 37% vote, would have raised billions for more than 150 transportation projects over the next decade. The 12 regions encompass the entire state.

The measure was supported by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, a Democrat, who said the tax would boost Georgia’s economic future and promised the infrastructure projects would ease traffic congestion, AP reported.

The measure was opposed by the Georgia Tea Party, AP said.

Georgia currently has a state sales tax of 4%. Each county has an additional 1% to 3% on top of those, and Atlanta has an additional 1% sales tax in addition to both.