You are going to be bombarded with propaganda by all government officials and the Chamber of Commerce to vote YES for the proposed 1 percent transportation tax (TSPLOST) on July 31, 2012, but there is something they are not telling you. 

A 1 percent tax represents one paycheck per year that you give to the government to build sidewalks, finance a bus system, and expand roads. Add that to your SPLOST 1 percent, LOST 1 percent, and ESPLOST 1 percent, plus state sales tax you are handing over the equivalent of three and one half weeks (3 1/2) of wages to the government to erect another layer of bureaucracy. The total dollar amount you fork over depends on your expenditures.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics claims the average household in Forsyth County expends $35,000 per year. This means $2,450 per year or $24,500 over 10 years of all sales taxes.

The GDOT estimates Forsyth County's projects will cost $329.6 million, but we are only scheduled to receive $253.3 million which is $73.6 million short. In Region 2 - Georgia Mountains the shortfall is $318.5 million.

The proponents will tell you that funds to complete the projects will come from the federal government, but federal funds are generated by the excise tax on fuel. The problem is the fund is broke. They don't have enough federal funds to repair the existing federal highways.

You will pay the tax over 10 years and will be required to sign up for another 10 years just to complete the projects in this first go around.

Vote NO for TSPLOST.