With Focus on Jobs and Transit, Hispanic Leaders Endorse T-SPLOST
The campaign to pass a proposed $7 billion regional transportation tax plan is in full swing and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed continues to stump actively for it.
Today Reed hosted a group of Hispanic leaders at City Hall, and each pledged their support. Among the organizations endorsing were the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Georgia Hispanic Construction Association.
Many of the leaders emphasized the need to invest in infrastructure and kickstart the economy.
Alejandro Coss, president of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce, is supporting the T-SPLOST because he says it will create jobs.
“We need to regain our competitive edge,” said Coss. “A new investment in transportation infrastructure will jumpstart the economy while restoring the construction industry’s role as a driver of economic growth in our region.”
At the event, Mayor Reed estimated the plan would create more than 30,000 construction jobs over 10 years.
In addition to spurring the economy, Jorge Fernandez of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce said Hispanics would benefit from the billions in investment in bus and rail service.
“For the Hispanic community it hits home, because many of us use public transportation as a means to go to our jobs and a “yes” vote improves that transit.”
As the fastest growing minority in the state, Fernandez said Hispanics would play a critical role in passing the T-SPLOST.
Mayor Reed agreed and said the campaign would need every vote. According to the most recent polls, more of the region is opposed to the T-SPLOST than for it, but Mayor Reed says the tide is turning.
“What you’re seeing in our region is us coming together in a way that we’ve never come together before.”
The transportation referendum is Tuesday.
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