Group Launches Petition Drive to Force Ballot Question on Falcons Stadium Deal
Common Cause Georgia wants Atlantans to vote on public funding for a new Atlanta Falcons stadium. The watchdog group launched a petition drive Monday to get the issue on November’s ballot.
William Perry, executive director of Common Cause, says according to the city charter, they need 35,000 verified signatures within 60 days.
“The amazing thing about this is we are hard-pressed to find people who disagree with us. Anecdotally I would say it’s 10 to 1 of people in this city who do not want public funding of this project,” said Perry.
The city has promised $200 million of hotel/motel tax money to help build the billion dollar stadium. Mayor Kasim Reed and the Falcons negotiated the deal and the city council approved it in March.
Perry insists the deal needs more public input.
“We got involved because people weren’t given a voice and if a majority of the citizens go to the ballot box and vote for public funding of the project, then so be it. We will be satisfied because the people will have spoken.”
Mayor Reed has called Perry’s efforts a “losing proposition” and the city attorney has said the potential ballot question would be “unconstitutional.” Perry says Common Cause will take the city to court if they get the signatures and the ballot question is blocked.
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