Another Argument Against Measure A
The "No on A - No LA" campaign presents the following considerations for
The
League of Women Voters.
Measure A sales tax has been in existence since 1988. It has not kept up
with road repair nor has it reduced commute times. Rapid growth causes these
problems and until this growth is brought under control the problems will
continue.
Road building stimulates homebuilding. Measure A road building will only
add
more commuters and contribute to longer commute times. With the 4.5
billion-dollar windfall of measure A, County planners will have no incentive
to tackle the hard growth problems.
We have heard much about the Integrated Plan process, but we have only
recently heard that a tax initiative will request road funding before the
plan is approved. The public and environmental review process is not
complete, and it won't be completed before the November election. We will
not know the new freeway routes when we vote and it is not reasonable to
ask
us to tax ourselves on something we may not want.
Measure A will commit precious resources for a period of 37 more years. We
think this represents taxation without representation and that it is unwise
and unethical for one generation to obligate the next generation in such
an
unfair manner.
We cannot predict the uncertainties and opportunities that new technology,
the threat of terrorism, a global warming crisis or oil shortage may bring
in the next 37 years. We will not have the ability to respond if our taxes
are tied to a bankrupt transportation plan. We need the flexibility of
shorter times for tax extensions if they are justified at all.
A voter poll conducted by the Transportation Commission indicated that
voters prefer that their taxes be used for local job creation as a means
to
reduce commuting. 66% preferred job creation to transportation projects and
9% felt that taxes should be used equally between the two. Despite this
overwhelming preference, taxpayers are not given that choice in this
measure.
Since the current tax will not run out until 2009 we recommend that we first
approve the plans and then vote in 2004 on questions of continued taxation.
We feel that a new initiative should give us more choice with a shorter
extension time. We ask that you support a No vote on Measure A.
For more information please see our Internet web page at
www.fastbk.com/measureA.