The Hicks Evaluation Group January 31, 2014 For Immediate Release Fredrick Hicks fredrickhicks@hegllc.

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Poll: Metro Atlanta Voters Blame Everyone, Still Reject Penny Tax
Snowpocalypse Fails to Shift Voter Opinion on Paying for Regional Plans
(Atlanta)Two days after the Atlanta Metro region was crippled by Winter Storm Leon, voters blamed elected officials and government organizations for the two day, multi-county traffic jam. Although nearly 50 percent report not being impacted directly by the storm, voters were clear in who they consider to be responsible, yet remain staunchly opposed to paying a penny for regional transportation plans. I was surprised that this calamity of this magnitude did not appear to lessen voter opposition to a penny sales tax for regional transportation solutions, said pollster Fred Hicks. More than half of the respondents said they were directly impacted. If an event this dramatic does not move voter attitudes, I cannot imagine what will. When asked who they blamed for the incident, more than half of the respondents cited Governor Deal, Mayor Reed, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the schools. The individual bearing the most blame, however, was Governor Deal. Nearly 5 times the voters blame Deal than Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. Hicks said, Voters recognize that there is a systemic problem, not an individual problem. Contrary to one of the narratives floating nationally, metro voters do not overwhelmingly view this as failure of either individual. Thats great news for Governor Deal and Mayor Reed. The bad news is that a majority of voters are not yet willing to pay out of their pockets to fix it. The survey consisted of registered voters across the ten metro Atlanta counties that voted as the Atlanta region in the 2012 T-SPLOST referendum. Among the key findings are: Self-Identified Political Affiliation 26.3% Non-Partisan/Independent 21.5% Traditional Republican 19.7% Liberal Democrat 18.1% Conservative Democrat 11.4% Tea Party 2.9% Libertarian Who to Blame 50% blame everyone 15% blame Governor Deal 3.5% blame Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed

Penny Sales Tax 56.2% said no to paying a penny in sales tax, 25.6% Yes, 18.2% Undecided Opposition is highest with self-identified Tea Party Republicans (74%) Support is strongest amongst self-identified Liberal Democrats (42.3%)

Note: Figures are rounded to the tenths place, thus the totals may not equal 100% due to rounding.

The survey was conducted on Thursday January 30, 2014 using IVR/automated dial technology. Registered voters were randomized and then dialed. 1,114 responses to the four question survey were received. 57.2% of respondents were women, 60% Caucasian, 30% African American, with the majority residing in the counties of Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett. The margin of error is 2.94% The survey and analysis was conducted by Fredrick Hicks, President of HEG. This survey was not commissioned by any individual or organization. A more detailed analysis of the polling results is attached and is also available for download at the HEG, LLC website, www.hegllc.org. Please direct all inquiries and questions to Fredrick Hicks at: fredrickhicks@hegllc.org

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Survey Questions

1) In what way were you impacted by Tuesday's storm? a) I was in traffic for more than 2 hours b) I was in traffic and my child had to spend the night at their school or was on a school bus for hours c) I was not in traffic, but my child was on a school bus for several hours/overnight d) I was not impacted in either way by the storm 2) Who do you blame most for the traffic problems experienced on Tuesday and Wednesday? There are six options. A) Governor Nathan Deal B) Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed C) The Georgia Department of Transportation D) The Georgia Emergency Management Agency E) The Schools F) All of the above. 3) Would you be willing to pay an additional penny in sales tax to fund a regional transportation plan and projects? A) Yes B) No C) Undecided 4) How would you describe your political affiliation? There are 6 questions. A) Traditional-Non Tea Party Republican B) Tea Party Republican C) Conservative Democrat D) Liberal Democrat E) Libertarian F) Non Partisan/Independent

How were you impacted? Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent child on bus not impacted Valid traffic 2 hours traffic and child Total 122 529 430 33 1114 11.0 47.5 38.6 3.0 100.0 11.0 47.5 38.6 3.0 100.0 11.0 58.4 97.0 100.0

Who do you blame? Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent all of the above Deal Emergency Management Valid Reed Schools Transportation Total 561 168 122 39 120 104 1114 Pay a penny? Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent no undecided Valid yes Total 285 1114 25.6 100.0 25.6 100.0 100.0 626 203 56.2 18.2 56.2 18.2 56.2 74.4 50.4 15.1 11.0 3.5 10.8 9.3 100.0 50.4 15.1 11.0 3.5 10.8 9.3 100.0 50.4 65.4 76.4 79.9 90.7 100.0

Party affiliation? Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent conserv Dem liberal Dem libertarian Valid non partisan tea party traditional Total 202 220 32 293 127 240 1114 18.1 19.7 2.9 26.3 11.4 21.5 100.0 18.1 19.7 2.9 26.3 11.4 21.5 100.0 18.1 37.9 40.8 67.1 78.5 100.0