August 1, 2012

A proposed penny sales tax to help pay for transportation projects has failed in Southwest Georgia.

Voters rejected the TSPLOST referendum in Tuesday's primary election.

The proposed tax was designed to help pay for sixty-nine projects throughout Southwest Georgia, including the expansion of Highway 133.

However, voters in Southwest Georgia opted against the referendum. Reaction among residents has been mixed.

"I'm disappointed, but I can't say I'm really surprised," said
Darrell Moore, the President of Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce. "I think we missed a tremendous opportunity of substaintial infrastructuce improvemtns and to help create jobs,"

Marvin King, a Moultrie resident added, "In a way, maybe it's better that we don't have another tax because of the economy. People are having a hard time, so adding another one cent tax might be a burden to some people."

Results show nine out of 12 regions in Georgia voted against the TSPLOST referendum.