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.
Making progress here. “Thanks to Chairman Pitts’ & Board of Assessors Chair Lee Morris’ leadership, improved data-center valuation is underway, potentially worth $100M extra in 2026,” Bene said in a statement.
#GApol
roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/10/f...
#GApol
roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/10/f...
Pitts seeks fair assessment of 'trophy properties' and data centers
Fulton County Chair Robb Pitts takes action to address undervaluation of trophy properties and data centers, seeking to increase tax revenue.
roughdraftatlanta.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Making progress here. “Thanks to Chairman Pitts’ & Board of Assessors Chair Lee Morris’ leadership, improved data-center valuation is underway, potentially worth $100M extra in 2026,” Bene said in a statement.
#GApol
roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/10/f...
#GApol
roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/10/f...
The Atlanta Way version of this in @mluckovich.bsky.social hands would also be funny. Not sure the Cox billionaires would approve, though.
#GApol
#GApol
i forget who made it but it cracks me up lol
February 8, 2026 at 3:17 PM
The Atlanta Way version of this in @mluckovich.bsky.social hands would also be funny. Not sure the Cox billionaires would approve, though.
#GApol
#GApol
Georgia’s economy is taking a hit, and Brian Kemp is silent. He’s falling in line with Trump’s disastrous economic policies instead of standing up for working Georgians.
As governor, I’ll put people first and fight for an economy that works for Georgia.
As governor, I’ll put people first and fight for an economy that works for Georgia.
February 7, 2026 at 8:05 PM
This graphic would work. Just add a pic of Andre siphoning off $5 Billion for his TAD extension boondoggles. Half coming from APS.
If APS & County & City can't raise taxes - because state R clowning stops locals from raising revenue - schools & services will collapse. Will be ugly.
#GApol
If APS & County & City can't raise taxes - because state R clowning stops locals from raising revenue - schools & services will collapse. Will be ugly.
#GApol
my editor put one of my stories into notebook llm to see what would happen
tbh i vomited at "the abolition roadmap" and stopped reading
anyway feel free to respond with examples of how to report on fiscal stuff, I am still trying my best and obvs a "thinking partner" is not helping
tbh i vomited at "the abolition roadmap" and stopped reading
anyway feel free to respond with examples of how to report on fiscal stuff, I am still trying my best and obvs a "thinking partner" is not helping
February 6, 2026 at 9:52 PM
This graphic would work. Just add a pic of Andre siphoning off $5 Billion for his TAD extension boondoggles. Half coming from APS.
If APS & County & City can't raise taxes - because state R clowning stops locals from raising revenue - schools & services will collapse. Will be ugly.
#GApol
If APS & County & City can't raise taxes - because state R clowning stops locals from raising revenue - schools & services will collapse. Will be ugly.
#GApol
TAD extension, anyone?
Yes, let's defund schools and the jail, so we can pretend to be investing in projects that never get done. Transport planning consultants have to make a living, after all.
#GApol
Yes, let's defund schools and the jail, so we can pretend to be investing in projects that never get done. Transport planning consultants have to make a living, after all.
#GApol
Exclusive: Ending the Clifton Corridor BRT route at Armour Yards instead of Lindbergh Center could add as much as a decade to the project, a new feasibility study says www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
Armour Yards endpoint for Clifton bus rapid transit could add decade to project
MARTA has recommended the project end at Lindbergh Center instead of Armour Yards.
www.ajc.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:23 PM
TAD extension, anyone?
Yes, let's defund schools and the jail, so we can pretend to be investing in projects that never get done. Transport planning consultants have to make a living, after all.
#GApol
Yes, let's defund schools and the jail, so we can pretend to be investing in projects that never get done. Transport planning consultants have to make a living, after all.
#GApol
“It's not my duty as Mayor to make sure you have a parking spot. For me it's the same as if you bought a cow, or a refrigerator, and then asked me where you're going to put them.” — Mayor of Pontevedra, Spain (re-elected 6 times)
February 4, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Good news #GApol. Fulton Assessors will appraise data centers at mkt value, raising tens of millions in 2026 property taxes. If applied to servers & GPUs, over $100M. Much more as new centers come on line.
Thank Robb Pitts, Bob Ellis & Lee Morris for making this happen.
www.ajc.com/business/202...
Thank Robb Pitts, Bob Ellis & Lee Morris for making this happen.
www.ajc.com/business/202...
Data centers promise tax gains for Georgia. But are they delivering?
As Big Tech has faced pushback from communities about the hulking projects and concerns over rising energy bills, developers have leaned into big financial promises.
www.ajc.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Good news #GApol. Fulton Assessors will appraise data centers at mkt value, raising tens of millions in 2026 property taxes. If applied to servers & GPUs, over $100M. Much more as new centers come on line.
Thank Robb Pitts, Bob Ellis & Lee Morris for making this happen.
www.ajc.com/business/202...
Thank Robb Pitts, Bob Ellis & Lee Morris for making this happen.
www.ajc.com/business/202...
The clock is only ticking on the property tax giveaway if our electeds refuse to extend it to 2055.
The media refuse to report that the biggest winner of TAD extension is the Gulch bros.
Which makes it easy for electeds to rubberstamp another huge Atlanta Way favor for oligarchs.
The media refuse to report that the biggest winner of TAD extension is the Gulch bros.
Which makes it easy for electeds to rubberstamp another huge Atlanta Way favor for oligarchs.
They’ve broken ground on a few other sites too if I recall correctly, but you’re right they are well behind schedule. I’m okay with the slow pace since the clock is ticking on their tax giveaways :)
February 2, 2026 at 10:03 PM
The clock is only ticking on the property tax giveaway if our electeds refuse to extend it to 2055.
The media refuse to report that the biggest winner of TAD extension is the Gulch bros.
Which makes it easy for electeds to rubberstamp another huge Atlanta Way favor for oligarchs.
The media refuse to report that the biggest winner of TAD extension is the Gulch bros.
Which makes it easy for electeds to rubberstamp another huge Atlanta Way favor for oligarchs.
Nope. Hotel Phoenix is their first and only hotel.
To clarify, they’ve topped out a second hotel and are underway with their “entertainment district” -> atlanta.urbanize.city/post/centenn...
Images: Another sizable Centennial Yards building has topped out
Hotel component joins Entertainment District racing to deliver as 2026 FIFA World Cup activity hub
atlanta.urbanize.city
February 2, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Nope. Hotel Phoenix is their first and only hotel.
1 apartment tower & 1 hotel in CY does *not* equal a lot of investment. Ignore PR spin: it's a tiny fraction of their planned 12M SF.
They spent ~$200M on the land + deal offsets to the City. CY looking at miserable RoI on that.
Unless they get tax rebate extended to 2055 by Andre's TAD extension.
They spent ~$200M on the land + deal offsets to the City. CY looking at miserable RoI on that.
Unless they get tax rebate extended to 2055 by Andre's TAD extension.
The other thing is there *has* been a lot of private investment in the lead up to the World Cup. South DT, CY, are both motivated by proximity to the stadium. I’m sure The Center or whatever the old CNN building is being called now will be activated someway for it.
February 2, 2026 at 9:29 PM
1 apartment tower & 1 hotel in CY does *not* equal a lot of investment. Ignore PR spin: it's a tiny fraction of their planned 12M SF.
They spent ~$200M on the land + deal offsets to the City. CY looking at miserable RoI on that.
Unless they get tax rebate extended to 2055 by Andre's TAD extension.
They spent ~$200M on the land + deal offsets to the City. CY looking at miserable RoI on that.
Unless they get tax rebate extended to 2055 by Andre's TAD extension.
Atlanta Way boosterism at its finest. Keeps the rubes thinking that they're winning.
So let’s roundup and say the immediate municipal tax benefit is $10 million. That only pays for like 4 miles of sidewalks lol. It’s a rounding error being sold as a generational benefit.
February 2, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Atlanta Way boosterism at its finest. Keeps the rubes thinking that they're winning.
PK: Why have established economists said nice about Warsh? Think about incentives. Imagine yourself as a policy-oriented economist who tries to have contact with and influence over policymakers. Do you want to risk making a bitter enemy out of the next chair?
Another one for the “As long as someone from my social circle gets picked it’s fine” file:
February 2, 2026 at 2:06 PM
PK: Why have established economists said nice about Warsh? Think about incentives. Imagine yourself as a policy-oriented economist who tries to have contact with and influence over policymakers. Do you want to risk making a bitter enemy out of the next chair?
Breaking:
The special agent in charge of the FBI's Atlanta field office was forced out this month after questioning the Trump Justice Department's renewed push to probe Fulton County's role in the 2020 election, two people familiar with the matter told MS NOW. www.ms.now/news/atlanta...
The special agent in charge of the FBI's Atlanta field office was forced out this month after questioning the Trump Justice Department's renewed push to probe Fulton County's role in the 2020 election, two people familiar with the matter told MS NOW. www.ms.now/news/atlanta...
Atlanta FBI boss ousted after balking at 2020 election probe
Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown refused to execute search warrants over Trump’s long-running fraud claims, sources tell MS NOW.
www.ms.now
January 30, 2026 at 8:52 PM
This one sounds as if it might be interesting, given the absurd back and forth last year on renewing PAD's contract.
The board tabled the unsubstantiated investigation into an alleged violation by the former Chief Procurement Officer into a special procurement process related to the policing alternatives contract.
January 30, 2026 at 1:40 AM
This one sounds as if it might be interesting, given the absurd back and forth last year on renewing PAD's contract.
Where do all of Atlanta's state reps, Mayor Dickens & other council members & county commissioners stand?
#GApol @jeremiah-olney.bsky.social @kelseabondatl.bsky.social @muaddib1825.bsky.social
#GApol @jeremiah-olney.bsky.social @kelseabondatl.bsky.social @muaddib1825.bsky.social
7/ Senate Bills 389, 390, 391, and 397 establish clear boundaries on enforcement authority, reinforce constitutional restraints, and protect the public by ensuring that civil and military power remains subject to democratic oversight and the rule of law. www.wabe.org/georgia-sena...
Georgia Senate Democrats introduce bills to regulate federal immigration officials in state
Democratic Georgia lawmakers announced four bills Tuesday introducing rules for how Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and other federal agents could operate in Georgia.
www.wabe.org
January 25, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Where do all of Atlanta's state reps, Mayor Dickens & other council members & county commissioners stand?
#GApol @jeremiah-olney.bsky.social @kelseabondatl.bsky.social @muaddib1825.bsky.social
#GApol @jeremiah-olney.bsky.social @kelseabondatl.bsky.social @muaddib1825.bsky.social
This is how an independent press reports.
www.ft.com/content/3d85...
www.ft.com/content/3d85...
Federal agents shoot man dead in Minneapolis
Minnesota officials express outrage over second fatal shooting by law enforcement during immigration crackdown
www.ft.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:13 PM
This is how an independent press reports.
www.ft.com/content/3d85...
www.ft.com/content/3d85...
Good sense finally prevails. This had the hallmarks of a malicious prosecution from the jump. 2 nights in Fulton Jail, really? #GApol
georgiarecorder.com/2026/01/22/f...
georgiarecorder.com/2026/01/22/f...
Fulton County DA will not prosecute advocate accused of stealing Georgia Power’s ‘trade secrets’ • Georgia Recorder
Clean energy advocate Patty Durand will not be prosecuted for alleged stealing a Georgia Power' booklet containing trade secrets.
georgiarecorder.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Good sense finally prevails. This had the hallmarks of a malicious prosecution from the jump. 2 nights in Fulton Jail, really? #GApol
georgiarecorder.com/2026/01/22/f...
georgiarecorder.com/2026/01/22/f...
#GApol
5 of the 7 County Commission seats are up for election this year.
A big campaign issue should be making Big Commercial pay what it owes.
The public has a chance to remedy Fulton's scandal by backing reformers.
Screw that up & we will be punished by hefty tax increases & poor services.
5 of the 7 County Commission seats are up for election this year.
A big campaign issue should be making Big Commercial pay what it owes.
The public has a chance to remedy Fulton's scandal by backing reformers.
Screw that up & we will be punished by hefty tax increases & poor services.
Fulton County would have a lot more money for treating homelessness if they stopped under-valuing big commercial properties, which lowers their taxes.
If a government's budget is a statement about our values, so is the amount of money that we let slip away for the benefit of the powerful.
If a government's budget is a statement about our values, so is the amount of money that we let slip away for the benefit of the powerful.
'Fulton County Tax Assessor under-valuation of trophy commercial properties is a frequent target of public criticism. Residents raised the issue again Wednesday in public comment.'
When will Commissioners stop gaslighting us and reform their broken process?
#GApol
www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
When will Commissioners stop gaslighting us and reform their broken process?
#GApol
www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
January 22, 2026 at 2:07 PM
#GApol
5 of the 7 County Commission seats are up for election this year.
A big campaign issue should be making Big Commercial pay what it owes.
The public has a chance to remedy Fulton's scandal by backing reformers.
Screw that up & we will be punished by hefty tax increases & poor services.
5 of the 7 County Commission seats are up for election this year.
A big campaign issue should be making Big Commercial pay what it owes.
The public has a chance to remedy Fulton's scandal by backing reformers.
Screw that up & we will be punished by hefty tax increases & poor services.
'Fulton County Tax Assessor under-valuation of trophy commercial properties is a frequent target of public criticism. Residents raised the issue again Wednesday in public comment.'
When will Commissioners stop gaslighting us and reform their broken process?
#GApol
www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
When will Commissioners stop gaslighting us and reform their broken process?
#GApol
www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Fulton commission rejects staff tax hike proposal for jail improvements
Commissioners instead approved a flat spending plan that will most likely not result in a property tax rate increase.
www.ajc.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:18 PM
'Fulton County Tax Assessor under-valuation of trophy commercial properties is a frequent target of public criticism. Residents raised the issue again Wednesday in public comment.'
When will Commissioners stop gaslighting us and reform their broken process?
#GApol
www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
When will Commissioners stop gaslighting us and reform their broken process?
#GApol
www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Nice if CMs asking Fulton to commit $$$ for homeless services would point out that Fulton - and the City & Schools - would have hundreds of millions extra a year if Fulton taxed trophy commercial towers & data centers at fair market value.
So not begging. Asking the County to do its job.
So not begging. Asking the County to do its job.
Bakhtiari says discussions between the city and county have led the county to tentatively commit around $1.8M this year and $2.4 next year for wraparound services. Bakhtiari asks the county to consider setting aside 2% of its operating budget for housing services in the future.
January 20, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Nice if CMs asking Fulton to commit $$$ for homeless services would point out that Fulton - and the City & Schools - would have hundreds of millions extra a year if Fulton taxed trophy commercial towers & data centers at fair market value.
So not begging. Asking the County to do its job.
So not begging. Asking the County to do its job.
Some of us can chip away at local injustices & corruption, as you do, Dan.
We can take some comfort from working on reform where we have a little influence.
Even while knowing that the big stuff - the federal government - is for now in evil, criminal hands.
We can take some comfort from working on reform where we have a little influence.
Even while knowing that the big stuff - the federal government - is for now in evil, criminal hands.
This has me thinking about all the bad stuff happening around country -- from predatory finance & housing to bad state and local government policy & practice -- that we might normally react & respond more forcefully against, but for the fact that our federal government is waging war against us.
Explosive story by @saragregory.bsky.social on backroom dealmaking w/City of Atlanta, Beltline, etc. If this isn't enough for folks to distrust shadow governments and push against a blanket 30 yr extension of tax increment financing districts, not sure what will.
drive.google.com/file/d/1g1Xc...
drive.google.com/file/d/1g1Xc...
January 20, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Some of us can chip away at local injustices & corruption, as you do, Dan.
We can take some comfort from working on reform where we have a little influence.
Even while knowing that the big stuff - the federal government - is for now in evil, criminal hands.
We can take some comfort from working on reform where we have a little influence.
Even while knowing that the big stuff - the federal government - is for now in evil, criminal hands.
So MARTA says it wasted $9M planning the Streetcar Extension that Andre canceled.
That's the tip of the wasted $$$ iceberg.
Beltline TAD spent a fortune on federally-required enviro studies & exorbitant trail construction costs to be rail-ready.
What did this sidewalk cost per mile, Mr. Higgs?
That's the tip of the wasted $$$ iceberg.
Beltline TAD spent a fortune on federally-required enviro studies & exorbitant trail construction costs to be rail-ready.
What did this sidewalk cost per mile, Mr. Higgs?
Unbeknownst to the public, a small group of officials from the city of Atlanta, the Atlanta Beltline and MARTA voted to stop all work on the Eastside Beltline light rail project more than six months ago: www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Eastside Beltline light rail work secretly halted last year
A group made up of officials with the city of Atlanta, the Beltline and MARTA made the decision in a closed-door meeting without ever informing the public.
www.ajc.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:59 PM
So MARTA says it wasted $9M planning the Streetcar Extension that Andre canceled.
That's the tip of the wasted $$$ iceberg.
Beltline TAD spent a fortune on federally-required enviro studies & exorbitant trail construction costs to be rail-ready.
What did this sidewalk cost per mile, Mr. Higgs?
That's the tip of the wasted $$$ iceberg.
Beltline TAD spent a fortune on federally-required enviro studies & exorbitant trail construction costs to be rail-ready.
What did this sidewalk cost per mile, Mr. Higgs?
Bad news for billionaires!
Atlanta hotel-motel tax was down in real terms the year ended June 2025 from 2024. $106M vs $103.5M.
Poor Arthur Blank only raked in $36M hotel tax - his 30-year MB Stadium subsidy.
Can the Gulch bros build more hotels if tourism's flat-lining?
#GApol
Atlanta hotel-motel tax was down in real terms the year ended June 2025 from 2024. $106M vs $103.5M.
Poor Arthur Blank only raked in $36M hotel tax - his 30-year MB Stadium subsidy.
Can the Gulch bros build more hotels if tourism's flat-lining?
#GApol
January 17, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Bad news for billionaires!
Atlanta hotel-motel tax was down in real terms the year ended June 2025 from 2024. $106M vs $103.5M.
Poor Arthur Blank only raked in $36M hotel tax - his 30-year MB Stadium subsidy.
Can the Gulch bros build more hotels if tourism's flat-lining?
#GApol
Atlanta hotel-motel tax was down in real terms the year ended June 2025 from 2024. $106M vs $103.5M.
Poor Arthur Blank only raked in $36M hotel tax - his 30-year MB Stadium subsidy.
Can the Gulch bros build more hotels if tourism's flat-lining?
#GApol
Zach could not find a single data center paying serious money in local property taxes. So much for the hoopla.
Fulton has no excuse for valuing QTS's $1.3 billion facility at $96M.
Will Commissioners finally do the right thing?
#GApol
www.ajc.com/business/202...
Fulton has no excuse for valuing QTS's $1.3 billion facility at $96M.
Will Commissioners finally do the right thing?
#GApol
www.ajc.com/business/202...
Data centers promise tax gains for Georgia. But are they delivering?
As Big Tech has faced pushback from communities about the hulking projects and concerns over rising energy bills, developers have leaned into big financial promises.
www.ajc.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Zach could not find a single data center paying serious money in local property taxes. So much for the hoopla.
Fulton has no excuse for valuing QTS's $1.3 billion facility at $96M.
Will Commissioners finally do the right thing?
#GApol
www.ajc.com/business/202...
Fulton has no excuse for valuing QTS's $1.3 billion facility at $96M.
Will Commissioners finally do the right thing?
#GApol
www.ajc.com/business/202...