Julian Bene
@julianbene.bsky.social
Let's reform the Atlanta Way to use resources for an equitable city. Former 'tax break naysayer' on Invest Atlanta board & Gulch RedLighter, I campaign against wasteful revenue giveaways that favor billionaires at the rest's expense.
It’s good news that the TAD cash grab did not have the votes today. But the grabbers will keep trying. After all, Atlanta’s resources are a free lunch for them.
They are punting to 2026. I’m guessing they had to keep Norwood and the Shook replacement on board
November 25, 2025 at 7:15 PM
It’s good news that the TAD cash grab did not have the votes today. But the grabbers will keep trying. After all, Atlanta’s resources are a free lunch for them.
To see if Council will inflict a $5B TAD injury on Atlanta, check with @atlpresscollective.com late a.m. on.
Members' justifications for this irresponsible wishful thinking will be intriguing.
Draft has to pass Community Dev committee to go to Full Council on Dec 1 & be passed by lame duck?
#GApol
Members' justifications for this irresponsible wishful thinking will be intriguing.
Draft has to pass Community Dev committee to go to Full Council on Dec 1 & be passed by lame duck?
#GApol
November 25, 2025 at 2:54 PM
To see if Council will inflict a $5B TAD injury on Atlanta, check with @atlpresscollective.com late a.m. on.
Members' justifications for this irresponsible wishful thinking will be intriguing.
Draft has to pass Community Dev committee to go to Full Council on Dec 1 & be passed by lame duck?
#GApol
Members' justifications for this irresponsible wishful thinking will be intriguing.
Draft has to pass Community Dev committee to go to Full Council on Dec 1 & be passed by lame duck?
#GApol
Watch the @kelseabondatl.bsky.social video on the TAD scam. She lays it out clearly and, dare one say, entertainingly? Refreshing to have a council member (elect) telling it like it is.
#GApol
www.instagram.com/reel/DRXD9RE...
#GApol
www.instagram.com/reel/DRXD9RE...
undefined on Instagram: "kelseabondatl🚨 SAY NO TO A SNAP VOTE ON THE TADS!🚨I may not be sworn in yet, but I work for YOU GUYS! Soon, Atlanta City Council …"
kelseabondatl🚨 SAY NO TO A SNAP VOTE ON THE TADS!🚨I may not be sworn in yet, but I work for YOU GUYS! Soon, Atlanta City Council will have to vote on whether to extend Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) until 2055. This is a huge decision on how to spend a LOT of money that would otherwise go towards our public schools and other services. The proposal to continue diverting funds towards accelerated development is strongly backed by developers and corporate interests, and the TAD’s proposed “oversight” commission is stacked with lobbyists for the top 1% — The Atlanta Committee for Progress, The Chamber of Commerce, and the Arthur M. Blank Foundation. Are these really the entities we believe will fight for working family’s best interests? Corporations and billionaires shouldn’t shape Atlanta’s policy priorities — people should. Tell your City Council Member to vote NO on the TAD extension!Council President Doug [email protected] (404)330-6052District 1Jason Winston [email protected] (404) 330-6039District 2 Carden [email protected](404) 330-6038District 3Byron Amos [email protected] (404) 330-6046District 4Jason Dozier [email protected] (404) 330-6047District 5Liliana Bakhtiari [email protected](404) 330-6048District 6Alex Wan [email protected](404) 330-6049District 7Howard Shook [email protected] (404) 330-6050District 8Mary [email protected] (404) 330-6051District 9Dustin Hillis [email protected] (404) 330-6044District 10Andrea L. Boone [email protected] (404) 330-6055District 11Marci Collier Overstreet [email protected](404) 330-6054District 12Antonio Lewis [email protected] (404) 330-6053Post 1 at LargeMichael Julian Bond [email protected](404) 330-6770Post 2 at LargeMatt [email protected] (404) 330-6302Post 3 at LargeEshé Collins [email protected](404) 330-6041
www.instagram.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Watch the @kelseabondatl.bsky.social video on the TAD scam. She lays it out clearly and, dare one say, entertainingly? Refreshing to have a council member (elect) telling it like it is.
#GApol
www.instagram.com/reel/DRXD9RE...
#GApol
www.instagram.com/reel/DRXD9RE...
Shockingly, Council is about to rubber-stamp this pile of empty promises with no public vote.
Fiscal responsibility - or minimal critical thinking - too much to ask?
If APS and County OK this $5B boondoggle, it's 30 years of budget crises, tax hikes, & lousy schools & services.
Shameful.
#GApol
Fiscal responsibility - or minimal critical thinking - too much to ask?
If APS and County OK this $5B boondoggle, it's 30 years of budget crises, tax hikes, & lousy schools & services.
Shameful.
#GApol
This TAD extension will allegedly protect legacy residents, build affordable housing, put rail on the Beltline, build a new hospital, and support small businesses. That's quite a project list.
It makes me wonder...what's Mayor Dickens' track record with following through on project lists?
It makes me wonder...what's Mayor Dickens' track record with following through on project lists?
November 25, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Shockingly, Council is about to rubber-stamp this pile of empty promises with no public vote.
Fiscal responsibility - or minimal critical thinking - too much to ask?
If APS and County OK this $5B boondoggle, it's 30 years of budget crises, tax hikes, & lousy schools & services.
Shameful.
#GApol
Fiscal responsibility - or minimal critical thinking - too much to ask?
If APS and County OK this $5B boondoggle, it's 30 years of budget crises, tax hikes, & lousy schools & services.
Shameful.
#GApol
I'll be discussing how Atlanta has a half billion dollar plus revenue shortfall.
Electeds refuse to make the richest corporations pay their fair share - then burden regular folks with higher taxes and worse services.
Join us at 1.00pm today at L5P community center.
#GApol.
Electeds refuse to make the richest corporations pay their fair share - then burden regular folks with higher taxes and worse services.
Join us at 1.00pm today at L5P community center.
#GApol.
I'm attending Kelsea Bond for Atlanta's event, “Atlanta for the 99% Town Hall” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/kelseabond/e...
Atlanta for the 99% Town Hall · Kelsea Bond for Atlanta
Join Kelsea Bond, Atlanta City Councilmember-Elect for District 2, for our first town hall where we will discuss key topics like transit, housing, public safety, homelessness, and labor.
There will ...
www.mobilize.us
November 23, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I'll be discussing how Atlanta has a half billion dollar plus revenue shortfall.
Electeds refuse to make the richest corporations pay their fair share - then burden regular folks with higher taxes and worse services.
Join us at 1.00pm today at L5P community center.
#GApol.
Electeds refuse to make the richest corporations pay their fair share - then burden regular folks with higher taxes and worse services.
Join us at 1.00pm today at L5P community center.
#GApol.
@duncanforgeorgia.bsky.social you saw @peterhubbardga.bsky.social & Alicia Johnson romp to PSC victory in #GApol.
What's your position on protecting consumer electric bills, promoting solar, reining in data centers & making them pay taxes?
What's your position on protecting consumer electric bills, promoting solar, reining in data centers & making them pay taxes?
The results are in - a clean, affordable
electricity message was a principle winning message in New Jersey and Virginia. We need to keep it up, all across America. mcusercontent.com/123e2f9179ab...
electricity message was a principle winning message in New Jersey and Virginia. We need to keep it up, all across America. mcusercontent.com/123e2f9179ab...
November 22, 2025 at 2:35 PM
@duncanforgeorgia.bsky.social you saw @peterhubbardga.bsky.social & Alicia Johnson romp to PSC victory in #GApol.
What's your position on protecting consumer electric bills, promoting solar, reining in data centers & making them pay taxes?
What's your position on protecting consumer electric bills, promoting solar, reining in data centers & making them pay taxes?
#GApol
Teusink is absolutely right.
Though interestingly the district's local state senator, Chuck Hufstetler, is very reasonable - e.g., he tried to rein in GA Power on data centers this year and tries to stop unnecessary tax "incentives".
Teusink is absolutely right.
Though interestingly the district's local state senator, Chuck Hufstetler, is very reasonable - e.g., he tried to rein in GA Power on data centers this year and tries to stop unnecessary tax "incentives".
Hello my fellow Americans of good conscience. Longtime Georgia Democrat here.
Marjorie Taylor Greene's district is uber-conservative.
Please don't be sucked in by grifter "Democrats" asking for money and claiming they're going to be able to win that seat.
Marjorie Taylor Greene's district is uber-conservative.
Please don't be sucked in by grifter "Democrats" asking for money and claiming they're going to be able to win that seat.
November 22, 2025 at 3:56 AM
#GApol
Teusink is absolutely right.
Though interestingly the district's local state senator, Chuck Hufstetler, is very reasonable - e.g., he tried to rein in GA Power on data centers this year and tries to stop unnecessary tax "incentives".
Teusink is absolutely right.
Though interestingly the district's local state senator, Chuck Hufstetler, is very reasonable - e.g., he tried to rein in GA Power on data centers this year and tries to stop unnecessary tax "incentives".
The penny drops with more and more people.
The next generation continues to scream to any pollster who will listen: we need transformative changes!
Who will carry this mantle in the 2028 Democratic primary? The opportunity is there.
Who will carry this mantle in the 2028 Democratic primary? The opportunity is there.
November 21, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The penny drops with more and more people.
Heck, this Corporate Welfare Promotion Committee makes a mockery of City Council itself. They've delegated their responsibility - or at least their platform - to representatives of Big Money special interests.
It is immensely disappointing that @rohitforatlanta.bsky.social lost his election, as I was hoping he would be the check on these unaccountable power structures that make a mockery of our entire NPU/neighborhood governance system.
Committee for Corporate Welfare - no oversight at all.
Atlanta Ctee for Progress & MACC never saw a corporate handout they didn't shill for.
Arthur Blank pockets $30M/yr of our hotel-motel tax & has 2 votes!
Invest Atlanta board members rarely look critically at TAD cost-effectiveness.
Just say No!
Atlanta Ctee for Progress & MACC never saw a corporate handout they didn't shill for.
Arthur Blank pockets $30M/yr of our hotel-motel tax & has 2 votes!
Invest Atlanta board members rarely look critically at TAD cost-effectiveness.
Just say No!
November 20, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Heck, this Corporate Welfare Promotion Committee makes a mockery of City Council itself. They've delegated their responsibility - or at least their platform - to representatives of Big Money special interests.
Committee for Corporate Welfare - no oversight at all.
Atlanta Ctee for Progress & MACC never saw a corporate handout they didn't shill for.
Arthur Blank pockets $30M/yr of our hotel-motel tax & has 2 votes!
Invest Atlanta board members rarely look critically at TAD cost-effectiveness.
Just say No!
Atlanta Ctee for Progress & MACC never saw a corporate handout they didn't shill for.
Arthur Blank pockets $30M/yr of our hotel-motel tax & has 2 votes!
Invest Atlanta board members rarely look critically at TAD cost-effectiveness.
Just say No!
Siri, show me an “oversight” committee over a $ multibillion 30-year TAD/TIF extension that is dominated by key participants in #TheAtlantaWay.
Not one of these orgs has been a critic of Atlanta development policies. Only 2 are even neighborhood orgs & one of those was created by large corp’s. 1/2
Not one of these orgs has been a critic of Atlanta development policies. Only 2 are even neighborhood orgs & one of those was created by large corp’s. 1/2
November 20, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Committee for Corporate Welfare - no oversight at all.
Atlanta Ctee for Progress & MACC never saw a corporate handout they didn't shill for.
Arthur Blank pockets $30M/yr of our hotel-motel tax & has 2 votes!
Invest Atlanta board members rarely look critically at TAD cost-effectiveness.
Just say No!
Atlanta Ctee for Progress & MACC never saw a corporate handout they didn't shill for.
Arthur Blank pockets $30M/yr of our hotel-motel tax & has 2 votes!
Invest Atlanta board members rarely look critically at TAD cost-effectiveness.
Just say No!
It was good talking with Rose Scott @wabe.org and her panelists about TAD extension. Rose ensures we air the issue thoroughly. Atlanta needs these debates #GApol. Do listen.
TAD topic starts around minute 20. My main riff starts around minute 37.
www.wabe.org/coffee-conve...
TAD topic starts around minute 20. My main riff starts around minute 37.
www.wabe.org/coffee-conve...
Coffee Conversations: Is Mayor Dickens’ $5B community investment plan what Atlanta needs for affordable housing?
For the November installment of "Closer Look" Coffee Conversations held at Grant Park Coffeehouse, program host Rose Scott talked with a panel of guests about Tax Allocation Districts, pros and cons, ...
www.wabe.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:12 AM
It was good talking with Rose Scott @wabe.org and her panelists about TAD extension. Rose ensures we air the issue thoroughly. Atlanta needs these debates #GApol. Do listen.
TAD topic starts around minute 20. My main riff starts around minute 37.
www.wabe.org/coffee-conve...
TAD topic starts around minute 20. My main riff starts around minute 37.
www.wabe.org/coffee-conve...
I'm attending Kelsea Bond for Atlanta's event, “Atlanta for the 99% Town Hall” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/kelseabond/e...
Atlanta for the 99% Town Hall · Kelsea Bond for Atlanta
Join Kelsea Bond, Atlanta City Councilmember-Elect for District 2, for our first town hall where we will discuss key topics like transit, housing, public safety, homelessness, and labor.
There will ...
www.mobilize.us
November 19, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I'm attending Kelsea Bond for Atlanta's event, “Atlanta for the 99% Town Hall” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/kelseabond/e...
Reposted by Julian Bene
who the fuck does Ezra Klein thinks actually writes the overly convoluted regulations he despises?
It's not progressives or anybody even tangentially related to good faith reform movements, it's unchecked corporate power, you insufferable brunchlord
It's not progressives or anybody even tangentially related to good faith reform movements, it's unchecked corporate power, you insufferable brunchlord
November 19, 2025 at 12:04 PM
who the fuck does Ezra Klein thinks actually writes the overly convoluted regulations he despises?
It's not progressives or anybody even tangentially related to good faith reform movements, it's unchecked corporate power, you insufferable brunchlord
It's not progressives or anybody even tangentially related to good faith reform movements, it's unchecked corporate power, you insufferable brunchlord
Don't tell JC that Fulton Appraisers pretend billion-dollar data centers are "just warehouses" and value them as low as 5% of their construction cost.
That loses us far more than the 27% tax breaks that data centers extract from development authorities.
#GApol
That loses us far more than the 27% tax breaks that data centers extract from development authorities.
#GApol
Your reminder that "economic development" policy in Georgia is totally broken. What's worse is that no one seems to understand this or care.
UPS says $10M tax break needed to retain nearly 1,700 jobs near Atlanta
A DeKalb County board approved a $10.1 million property tax break that UPS said would spare a more than 40-year-old facility near Doraville from the chopping block.
buff.ly
November 17, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Don't tell JC that Fulton Appraisers pretend billion-dollar data centers are "just warehouses" and value them as low as 5% of their construction cost.
That loses us far more than the 27% tax breaks that data centers extract from development authorities.
#GApol
That loses us far more than the 27% tax breaks that data centers extract from development authorities.
#GApol
Hard to read this chart, but it looks as if almost all PSC voters who voted for Hubbard also voted for Johnson. The candidates' vote totals were almost identical.
There are very few dots outside the +/- 1% range. Outliers seem to be offset by opposite outliers in precincts with the same race share.
There are very few dots outside the +/- 1% range. Outliers seem to be offset by opposite outliers in precincts with the same race share.
Evidence of racial polarization in Georgia last week. In one race, a White D ran against a Black R; the inverse was true in the other. So, where did the White D over-perform the Black D? In whiter areas.
November 16, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Hard to read this chart, but it looks as if almost all PSC voters who voted for Hubbard also voted for Johnson. The candidates' vote totals were almost identical.
There are very few dots outside the +/- 1% range. Outliers seem to be offset by opposite outliers in precincts with the same race share.
There are very few dots outside the +/- 1% range. Outliers seem to be offset by opposite outliers in precincts with the same race share.
Damn. I still remember standing with my parents at a poorly attended rally in a windswept field, listening to then Labour Party leader Hugh Gaitskell quote Churchill's original line, "Democracy is the worst form of government, until you look at the others."
How far we've fallen since.
How far we've fallen since.
i believe it was churchill who said ‘senile pedophile hitler is the worst form of government, except for all the others’
They should invent a government that isn’t senile pedophile adolf hitler
November 14, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Damn. I still remember standing with my parents at a poorly attended rally in a windswept field, listening to then Labour Party leader Hugh Gaitskell quote Churchill's original line, "Democracy is the worst form of government, until you look at the others."
How far we've fallen since.
How far we've fallen since.
When I say Atlanta's TADs are boondoggles, I'm not exaggerating.
Diverting $5B from schools and public services for grossly padded contracts with no accountability.
Diverting $5B from schools and public services for grossly padded contracts with no accountability.
Twenty million United States dollars per mile? That’s scandalous
November 14, 2025 at 1:05 AM
When I say Atlanta's TADs are boondoggles, I'm not exaggerating.
Diverting $5B from schools and public services for grossly padded contracts with no accountability.
Diverting $5B from schools and public services for grossly padded contracts with no accountability.
How much did that stretch cost per mile, does anyone know? Timely info as mayor seeks to keep the $$$ for another 25 years.
The Northwest Beltline Trail in Blandtown features some swings. Nice to finally see some seating along the trail.
November 13, 2025 at 5:48 PM
How much did that stretch cost per mile, does anyone know? Timely info as mayor seeks to keep the $$$ for another 25 years.
Georgia’s Public Service Commission is considering approval of several costly new gas plants. SACE and @sierraclub.org request the Commission delay its vote until newly elected and decisively Commissioners Hubbard and Johnson can participate ➡️ ow.ly/Orvn50XqO2l
November 12, 2025 at 10:03 PM
'Lifelong troublemaker' ain't a bad epitaph.
I only knew Tom in his city arborist role. He bravely tried to protect the tree canopy as City leaders bent over backwards to let builders ignore tree protection.
Before Housing activists get mad, you can have both homes & trees if you're smart.
I only knew Tom in his city arborist role. He bravely tried to protect the tree canopy as City leaders bent over backwards to let builders ignore tree protection.
Before Housing activists get mad, you can have both homes & trees if you're smart.
November 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
'Lifelong troublemaker' ain't a bad epitaph.
I only knew Tom in his city arborist role. He bravely tried to protect the tree canopy as City leaders bent over backwards to let builders ignore tree protection.
Before Housing activists get mad, you can have both homes & trees if you're smart.
I only knew Tom in his city arborist role. He bravely tried to protect the tree canopy as City leaders bent over backwards to let builders ignore tree protection.
Before Housing activists get mad, you can have both homes & trees if you're smart.
I'm attending Kelsea Bond for Atlanta's event, “Atlanta for the 99% Town Hall” - sign up now to join me & chat about how
the 99% would prosper if commercial trophy towers & data centers paid their fair share and if TAD taxes came back to schools & public services. www.mobilize.us/kelseabond/e...
the 99% would prosper if commercial trophy towers & data centers paid their fair share and if TAD taxes came back to schools & public services. www.mobilize.us/kelseabond/e...
Atlanta for the 99% Town Hall · Kelsea Bond for Atlanta
Join Kelsea Bond, Atlanta City Councilmember-Elect for District 2, for our first town hall where we will discuss key topics like transit, housing, public safety, homelessness, and labor.
There will ...
www.mobilize.us
November 12, 2025 at 1:14 PM
I'm attending Kelsea Bond for Atlanta's event, “Atlanta for the 99% Town Hall” - sign up now to join me & chat about how
the 99% would prosper if commercial trophy towers & data centers paid their fair share and if TAD taxes came back to schools & public services. www.mobilize.us/kelseabond/e...
the 99% would prosper if commercial trophy towers & data centers paid their fair share and if TAD taxes came back to schools & public services. www.mobilize.us/kelseabond/e...
In Fulton #GApol, data centers don't even need tax breaks (though most get them).
That's cos County Assessors only value them at 10-20% of what data center developers say they are worth.
Correcting this raises $48M this year. Another ~$140M/yr as $10 Billion more come on line.
That's cos County Assessors only value them at 10-20% of what data center developers say they are worth.
Correcting this raises $48M this year. Another ~$140M/yr as $10 Billion more come on line.
NEW: 36 states lavish tax breaks on data centers. But just 11 of those states reveal the names of the companies getting the tax breaks, fewer disclose the value of the tax breaks, and NO state provides both estimated and actual jobs created. 1-
goodjobsfirst.org/cloudy-data-...
goodjobsfirst.org/cloudy-data-...
November 11, 2025 at 7:45 PM
In Fulton #GApol, data centers don't even need tax breaks (though most get them).
That's cos County Assessors only value them at 10-20% of what data center developers say they are worth.
Correcting this raises $48M this year. Another ~$140M/yr as $10 Billion more come on line.
That's cos County Assessors only value them at 10-20% of what data center developers say they are worth.
Correcting this raises $48M this year. Another ~$140M/yr as $10 Billion more come on line.
Reposted by Julian Bene
We also disproportionally did better in precincts south of Ponce - esp o4w. We won every precinct by majority except for one with 48% of the vote, still a plurality.
November 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
We also disproportionally did better in precincts south of Ponce - esp o4w. We won every precinct by majority except for one with 48% of the vote, still a plurality.
Reposted by Julian Bene
We won all age groups and demographics, but young voters turned out more than normal. Hard to compare exactly to previous years because of redistricting
November 11, 2025 at 2:45 PM
We won all age groups and demographics, but young voters turned out more than normal. Hard to compare exactly to previous years because of redistricting
Very interesting numbers. Way more under-50s voted than over-50s, despite the elders' usual higher turnout rate. It's a young district.
Probably much higher 18-30 and 31-50 turnout percents than in past D2 elections, too, thanks to the vigorous ground campaign.
Probably much higher 18-30 and 31-50 turnout percents than in past D2 elections, too, thanks to the vigorous ground campaign.
This is young voter turnout district 2 versus citywide 😎
November 11, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Very interesting numbers. Way more under-50s voted than over-50s, despite the elders' usual higher turnout rate. It's a young district.
Probably much higher 18-30 and 31-50 turnout percents than in past D2 elections, too, thanks to the vigorous ground campaign.
Probably much higher 18-30 and 31-50 turnout percents than in past D2 elections, too, thanks to the vigorous ground campaign.