Friday, January 11, 2002
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Friday, January 11, 2002 |
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Truth is finally sinking in By
MIKE
KENN There is an old saying in politics: repeat something enough times, and eventually the people will believe it. This cliché is usually meant to refer to tabloid allegations or the negative mud-slinging in campaigns; however, I've learned that it can also refer to common sense ideas in the public sector. For the past three years that I have been in office, I have tried to raise awareness about the unfair funding of what is, realistically, a regional transportation system. As most know, MARTA is supported through the one-penny sales tax generated by Fulton and DeKalb counties. I have spoken out about this subsidy for two basic reasons: one, it places an unfair burden on the taxpayers of Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb counties; and two, I have felt that there is no way that MARTA would be able to continue to operate as a viable regional transportation system with this funding structure. In June of 2000, the AJC described my efforts as "ham handed." In September of 2000, I was "looking for a scapegoat or tilting at windmills" by asking the state to address this antiquated funding mechanism. It "isn't going to happen. Nor should it," the AJC wrote. An October 2000 headline read "MARTA funds rebellion picking up few followers." And, perhaps it was true in the media. As I was receiving more and more support from my constituents and other regional leaders, I was receiving less and less support from the media. An October AJC editorial led that "Fulton chief should halt tirade over MARTA tax." Later in October of 2000, I was quoted as saying that "All revolutions start somewhere," and that the movement was gaining legs. And, it was. Leaders across the region were beginning to think of the system that had been set up 30 years ago, in a completely different light. But, the headline read, "Kenn's MARTA revolt spinning wheels." Let's jump ahead to now. MARTA is experiencing very significant financial problems at a time in which the region's reliance on the system is growing. As a result of the financial crisis, MARTA has proposed several controversial service reductions that have been met, understandably, with anger on the part of the people. MARTA's connectivity and importance to many local transit systems (it's a significant part of the regional transportation plans) and the declining sales revenues as a result of the economy have only accelerated and made a necessity of what I thought was a matter of common sense a couple of years ago. In order to survive, MARTA's funding sources must change. Just a few weeks ago, Maria Saporta suggested that regional finding, not budget cuts, was the answer to MARTA's financial troubles. She was exactly right. And today, an AJC editorial stated that the "expectation that a transit system such as MARTA could survive on limited subsidies and fare box revenues is absurd." Amen. It's nice to know that common sense, if stated often enough, can be believed.
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