The Metro Atlanta Voter Education Network (MAVEN) and Citizens for Transportation Mobility (CTM) have selected the campaign team responsible for advancing the one-cent regional transportation sales tax up for consideration on July 31, 2012. After evaluating over 30 proposals encompassing 2,400 pages and interviewing several impressive teams and individuals, a general consultant and campaign manager was selected.
Glenn Totten and Paul Bennecke will provide the campaign management and general consulting leadership for the referendum campaign and David Hill of Hill Research Consultants will provide polling and research services for the campaign. Glenn Totten has worked on a number of successful ballot initiatives in the past such as the Georgia Lottery referendum and transportation measures including one in Minnesota that provided $300 million annually in new transportation revenue. Paul Bennecke has served as political director on Sonny Perdue’s gubernatorial campaign in 2002 and as deputy executive director of the Republican Governor’s Association. His support will lend significant support to the leadership team for the referendum. Both Totten and Bennecke will set the strategy and ultimately hire a campaign staff that will be diverse, bipartisan and reflective of the region. Auburn, Alabama based firm Hill Research Consultants, led by David B. Hill, was selected to conduct polling and research services for the referendum and has polled more than 100 successful ballot measures across the country. Hill has polled and conducted focus groups for winning tax campaigns in a dozen states. The total campaign is expected to cost around $6 million. The regional sales tax is expected to generate $8 billion for transportation over 10 years if the referendum passes next summer.