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GOP Rep. Sandy Adams hits Mica on Georgia transportation tax in Fla. primary
Republican Rep. Sandy Adams (R-Fla.) is criticizing House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) for commenting on a proposed transportation tax in neighboring Georgia.
Georgians will vote July 31 on a proposed one-cent sales tax increase in regions across their state to pay for transportation projects.
Adams's campaign is calling attention to remarks Mica made during an appearance in Georgia in which the Transportation Committee chairman said state investment in road and transit projects is a factor in federal decisions about appropriations.
“This is yet another example of why John Mica has become part of the problem in Washington,” Adams campaign spokeswoman Lisa Boothe said in an email to supporters.
“We are facing a $16 trillion national debt and a $1.5 trillion deficit, yet Mica continues to advocate for more spending and more taxes," Boothe said. "It’s time Central Florida voters said ‘enough’ to the business-as-usual tax-and-spend ways of Washington insiders.”
“I didn’t come here to tell you what to do,” the station reported Mica said. “You’ve got a referendum and the citizens of this region will make a decision."
But Mica reportedly told listeners, "[I]f you want to see your portion of transportation go someplace else, if you aren’t ready, it will now go somewhere else where they are ready to do things.”
Opponents of the transportation referendum in Georgia have argued that the proposal is too large of a tax increase.
Polls show that support for the transportation tax proposal has been slipping in recent weeks.
If the proposal is approved by all 12 regions of Georgia that are scheduled to hold votes on it, supporters have said it will generate $18 billion for road and transit projects in the state.
A list of projects the money would be used for was approved by local officials after months of contentious debate.
