Island County Transit Election

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The latest results show that a sales tax increase for Island Transit is passing with 57% (http://www.islandcounty.net/auditor/election%20results.htm). This us the third county that has voted to fund transit since I-695 cut transit funding (Grays Harbor and Clallum being the other two). It looks like Eyman is again misreading the public - voters do support bus systems.

-- Jackie (branz_ja@hotmail.com), May 17, 2000

Answers

Actually, your observation shows how much you misread both Eyman and 695. The entire point of this exercise was to put the power of approval of tax increases in the hands of the voters... not to end tax increases altogether.

Clearly, the tax approval concept was precisely what Eyman and the rest of us wise enough to support 695 had in mind. In short, the votes for tax increases (strange that you left out the abysmal failure of Spokane's attempt two years ago to add a sales tax increase, but I guess you didn't know about that one) are absolutely what the intent of 695 was in the first place.

Thanks for playing.

Kentster

-- Kent (ifyoudo@that.voodoo.com), May 19, 2000.


When I said that Eyman was not reading the public, I was referring to his traffic initiative, not 695.

-- jackie branz (branz_ja@hotmail.com), May 25, 2000.

I don't know about the Island Transit case, not much of their stuff on the Web, and I don't get up their much. The net effect of the previous two votes, however, was to offset SOME (but not all) of the 695 losses. Even after the votes, the transit capability was decreased from prior to 695.

But it looks like we may get our chance in the near future. Ought to be real interesting in places like King County where for every $100 purchased, you are already paying a dollar to transit (between Metro and Sound Transit), when they want another 2/10ths of a percent.

the craigster

-- (craigcar@crosswinds.net), May 25, 2000.


Actually, there is a lid on how much a transit agency can ask from voters at the polls - it is 6/10th of 1% of the sales tax. Each of the three elections put the transit agencies at the limit.

This lid is set by the legislature. Voters can't appprove to make up the full amount lost to transit agencies even if they wanted to - the legislature does't allow it.

-- J. Branz (branz_ja@hotmail.com), May 26, 2000.


"Actually, there is a lid on how much a transit agency can ask from voters at the polls - it is 6/10th of 1% of the sales tax. Each of the three elections put the transit agencies at the limit. "

Except that the limit is now being raised by 3/10th of a percent, and for the people in the RTA district, they already had an extra 4/10ths of a percent to begin with for Sound Transit. The bottom line, if you live in King County, is that you are paying a 1% tax on all your taxable purchases to support transit now, and the politicians are getting in line to propose additional transit to take up the other 3/10s.

-- (craigcar@crosswinds.net), May 26, 2000.



... All of which have been approved by voters.

Eyman's rhetoric's has been "let the voters decide" even if it is unconstitutional. Oopps - except if you look at I-745. Then, the wisdom of Tim's "all roads all the time" philosophy is the only option statewide. I-745 would make it almost impossible for local jurisdictions to vote for transit funding.

-- J. Branz (branz_ja@hotmail.com), May 28, 2000.


" I-745 would make it almost impossible for local jurisdictions to vote for transit funding. "

I could live with that.

Screw Transit! Build Roads!

zowie

-- (zowie@hotmail.com), May 28, 2000.


Thanks for making my argument.

-- j. branz (branz_ja@hotmail.com), May 29, 2000.

You're welcome.

zowie

-- (zowie@hotmail.com), May 30, 2000.


http://www.seattle-pi.com/local/tran292.shtml Voters may be asked to approve a light-rail tax Sims plan could boost Northgate Monday, May 29, 2000 By GEORGE FOSTER mailto:georgefoster@seattle- pi.commailto:georgefoster@seattle-pi.com SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER King County Executive Ron Sims says he's found a way to build a light- rail line to Northgate and Southcenter by 2006 -- but it'll cost you. Sims is about to unveil a proposed 0.3 percent sales tax increase as part of a transportation package that would boost Sound Transit's light-rail plan. It would also pay for traffic-signal synchronization, new busways and park-and-ride space around the county. The proposed tax increase would bring the county roughly $120 million per year in new revenue while adding about $90 to the sales-tax bite for a $30,000 car. Sims wants the County Council to put the measure on the November ballot. If approved by voters, the added revenue would be divided, with $80 million for Metro Transit bus service improvements and $40 million to repay about $500 million in bonds that would be sold to finance light rail and other transit projects. While Sims' plan offers something for everybody -- important politically when asking county voters to approve a tax measure -- it offers critical assistance to Sound Transit. The three-county regional transit agency has budgeted $1.93 billion to construct a rail line from South 200th Street in SeaTac to Northeast 45th Street at the University of Washington. The line would open in 2006. But critics, including the Downtown Seattle Association, have said they can't support that plan. An extension to Northgate or North 145th Street is necessary to limit the surge of bus traffic into downtown, expected once the transit tunnel is converted to exclusive rail use. University of Washington officials also have expressed concern that ending the line at Northeast 45th Street would add to traffic congestion in the University District. Sound Transit has increased its budget by 12 percent since 1996, prompting concern over whether taxpayers will be able to afford the project.

As I said, those who want to increase taxes to support Sound Transit and restore Metro cuts are going to get their chance. the craigster

-- (craigcar@crosswinds.net), May 30, 2000.



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