Taxpayers Betrayed

Henry taxpayers were betrayed. Some Henry officials must recognize their first obligation is to the public, and not to any special interest. Any commitment other than honorable public service ruins their credibility. On February 7 they violated our trust.

Harper, Adams and Holder voted to kill a referendum on whether voters could approve financing a 50-year multi-million dollar tax subsidy. They followed a meaningless rationale that “Henry County does not have a dog in this race.” The tie vote killed official support for House Bill 1033, which would guarantee a vote.

At the same time the Henry Chamber of Commerce announced support for the Lovejoy rail line, commission chairman Jason Harper joined Clayton chairman Eldrin Bell in support for it. Harper put “Henry’s Dog” in the race even though a groundswell of opposition already existed. Maintaining Henry’s Dog will cost $5 million up-front and about $540,000 annually. This dog does bite!

District 4 commissioner Gerry Adams should have abstained as an ethics issue. As a current employee of the Clayton County Airport, Eldrin Bell essentially signs his paycheck. Did Adams betray Henry taxpayers to appease his boss in Clayton?

It is not the job of taxpayers to subsidize private industry. It is not the job of elected officials to use our money to appease their benefactors. The Lovejoy rail, and eventually the Hampton stop, will probably not happen if voters are allowed a voice. But the moneyed interests who stand to profit also want taxpayers to pay for it. So, their lieutenants were obliged to rally against official support for a referendum.

The practice of using influence with elected officials to obtain preferential treatment is common in politics. So-called power is derived from available money and endorsements. If only power brokers did not have access to tax money. But providing tax money or official policies to favored projects is exactly how some politicians repay their supporters. The cycle usually works, until taxpayers become tired of the abuse.

Some might call this situation a legal corruption of good government. No traceable money changes hands. No proof of conspiracy exists. But you can bet that a politician who grants desires for a politically active business association will have their undying support. All that is needed is a blank check the taxpayers will have to cash.

When bonds are issued, citizens vote. When a SPLOST is proposed, citizens vote. When general funds are used we expect the highest benefit for every dollar. A local governing authority has great latitude, but there are limits to what officials can ethically do. Exceeding or abusing those limits undermines public faith, and gives us bad policy decisions.

Rep. Lunsford, sponsor of HB 1033, said, “It's really not about a commuter rail line as much as it is about rights and justice." Contact him at john.lunsford@house.ga.gov. We want to vote!