Voters in metro Atlanta will decide Tuesday whether to levy a penny sales tax to fund transportation projects in their communities.

Supporters have spent $8 million trying to convince voters that the plan will add jobs, ease congestion and improve the quality of life. The plan has been endorsed by Republican state leaders including Gov. Nathan Deal, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston, in addition to Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, a Democrat.

Critics blast the plan as not only the heftiest tax proposal in state history, but as a false strategy that addresses neither sprawl nor smart growth.

If passed in all 12 regions, the tax would generate more than $18 billion to pay for transportation projects statewide over the next decade.