Watchdog wants voters to decide new stadium financing | www.myajc.com

A Georgia watchdog group launched a petition drive Thursday that could force Atlanta city officials to ask voters whether public financing should be used to help fund a $1 billion downtown stadium.

Common Cause Georgia filed a petition request at Atlanta City Hall to force a public vote on the resolution allowing the city to commit $200 million in hotel-motel taxes for construction of a new home for the Atlanta Falcons.

The group will have 60 days to collect at least 35,000 signatures to place the issue on the November ballot once the city responds, Common Cause director William Perry said.

“If we successfully get this question on the ballot and the majority of citizens approve or defeat our question, that’s when it’s over for us,” Perry said. “As long as the public has the opportunity to truly weigh in on this and has a chance to say yes or no to public funding, then we are happy.”

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said in a statement that the move was a “losing proposition” that could undermine much-needed investment in the city’s core. He also accused Perry of using the stadium deal to further his “personal ambition.”

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