Measure A Measure A (October 27, 2004)

Measure A warrants a second look

Editor:

It's a shame that the Almanac didn't explain the San Mateo County's Measure A Transportation Sales Tax Reauthorization with a little more detail.

You failed to point out that while there is something for everyone, nothing is written in stone. Projects fall under a general category and our tax dollars are then allocated to a broad range of transportation categories rather than specific transportation projects that could use the funding.

Money will be shuffled catering to special interest projects without the voters knowing exactly how much money will be dedicated to a particular project.

For example, our future tax dollars will be used for operating expenses as well as capital expenditures. The BART extension to the San Francisco Airport is one such item on the measure. Measure A will be used to bail out the extension since ridership has fallen far below predictions.

This measure will lock in for 25 years. During this time, transportation needs could drastically change. Our money will be tied into funding the categories already spelled out with no hope of changing the distribution of funds.

We ask that your readers to vote "no" on Measure A until more specific commitments of funds are written into the measure and the subsidies to failing projects are written out.

Bruce Balshone
Citizens for Better Transit

Good reason for voting against Measure A

Editor:

Transportation Measure A anticipates the end of a prior tax scheduled to end in 2006. It has something for everyone, but does not fully fund anything.

Some of the projects are real boondoggles: it is not clear why we need to extend BART when Caltrain is available for a small fraction of the price. Parttime ferries will never attract serious commuters. And the Dumbarton Railroad Spur has undergone over $600,000 of studies that have failed to prove sufficient riders to justify even a dollar of funding, while its old railroad bridge would have to be replaced completely.

No one who plans for transit has listened to neighbors or commuters. This route runs through East Palo Alto, East Menlo, and the heavily Hispanic Redwood City flatlands, all full of people who would like to be taken seriously even if they are not white.

Check your local politicians to see whether they support Measure A. In Menlo Park, Lorie Sinnott, who is married to an architect, and Michael Lambert, a commercial architect, both assume Measure A will pass. Both will have to excuse themselves because of periodic conflicts of interest. Ms. Sinott has been circulating almost identical pamphlets with and without plans for Belle Haven, an interesting perspective. Their incomes depend on ongoing development. Does yours?

Kelly Fergusson is a PhD engineer who listens and understands cost-effective planning. Andy Cohen is a retired judge whose experience in workers compensation guarantees a labor perspective. I recommend a vote against Measure A, and a vote for Ms. Fergusson and Mr. Cohen.

Margaret Fruth
Peggy Lane, Redwood City

League supports transportation measure

Editor:

The League of Women Voters of San Mateo County urge a yes vote on Measure A, the county transportation tax on the November 2 ballot.

Measure A is a reauthorization of the current countywide 1/2-cent sales tax for transportation projects. The new Measure A has had an extensive public participation process involving diverse segments of the community. We are satisfied that the process has enabled the staff to respond to needs and concerns, which provides several new safeguards for transfer, distribution, and audit of the funds to the various categories of projects.

Over the 25-year term of the measure, the tax is estimated to raise $1.5 billion from local sales transactions, and can leverage about the same amount in state and federal matching funds. The expenditure categories are Transit and para-transit - 30 percent; highways -- 27.5 percent; local streets and roads -- 22.5 percent; Caltrain grade separations - 15percent; bicycles and pedestrians - 3 percent and alternative congestion relief - 1 percent.

Measure A is endorsed by every city council in the county, business and labor, environmental and civic groups, chambers of commerce, and the Leagues of Women Voters of San Mateo County.

Measure A is the most important source of transportation funding in San Mateo County. It is not a new tax. It deserves a yes vote from every voter on November 2.

Gerry Felix, president
League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County

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