Letter to the Editor: No on Measure A; There’s a Better Way
Bureaucrats have proposed a $1 billion tax for them to play with in times of economic uncertainty, one of the largest if not single largest tax increase in the county.
The history of Measure D is less then sterling. Intentional delays costing hundreds of millions of dollars in inflation costs is just part of the story. Many cities have used street money for “alternatives” that fail to meet design objectives or to reduce auto traffic. Remember that the original intent was a supplement for street maintenance and repairs.
A 30-year ride on your wallet: This is no longer acceptable under current conditions, if it ever was.
Measure A rewards bad government, using tax money that was and is supposed to be a supplement. They down play the fact Measure D has two years of life, expiring in 2010, and paint pictures of disaster. This is a boondoggle you will be paying and paying for 30 years!
There is a better way:
Option 1
» Limit this tax to 10 years. One half percent solely for regional transportation with road and highways taking priority. No money for rail both, Santa Barbara and Ventura County have stated, is a nonstarter.
» Prohibit any taking, reducing road capacity of any nature. Not one penny if the project includes bulbouts, removal of lanes, narrowing of lanes, sidewalks, etc. There will be more than enough money for 101, 154, 246, 166, 192 and more.
» Hard budgets. When money has been collected, the tax expires.
Option 2
» Limited to 15 years. One quarter percent, split measures separating alternative transportation from road and highway programs and vice versa.
» Each measure independent of the other. It gives the taxpayer a clear choice, and control. No backroom deals. Roads and highways only prohibiting taking road capacity, or use for pedestrian-bike/sidewalk use (0.25 percent).
» Alternative transportation measure prohibits spending of money on any road or highway maintenance/repair (0.25 percent). Voters have clear issues and intent with this split option.
» Hard budgets. When money has been collected the tax expires.
No on Measure A. There’s a better way.
Scott Wenz
Co-signer of No on A ballot argument, president of Cars Are Basic Inc.
Santa Barbara
» wrote on 10/12/08 @ 04:30 PM
Measure A is not a new tax. We have all been paying for it for the last 20 years. It has improved roadways for every mode of transportation. I love the bulbouts on my street, I can cross De La Vina safely now. The biggest problem on our roads is poor driving. Perhaps Cars are basic should help train drivers in safety and the rules of the road.
» wrote on 10/11/08 @ 11:29 PM
Taxpayers wake up its never enough, let them cut back this time.
» wrote on 10/11/08 @ 12:13 PM
The government needs to cut back, and not always ask for more taxes. The ones who pay their salaries you and I now must cut back,but government still wants its high pay, perks, and huge pensions from us.No on A…
» wrote on 10/11/08 @ 11:52 AM
Wenz here is just making up chit about the money.
The State will have no money to give out for highways unless the County has a good match to the project budget.
The basic cars he worships will have no roads on which to drive in about 10 years as the asphalt decays, unless the revenue stream continues for road repairs and bus routes.