Post by Joe Cocker on Aug 5, 2011 23:21:24 GMT -5
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RepealSMART files Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition, Launches Repeal Campaign PDF Print E-mail
Written by RepealSMART
Monday, 01 August 2011 21:28
RepealSMART is pleased to announce the official launch of it’s campaign to repeal SMART’s tax measure by publishing it’s Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition. This notice is the first step in the campaign to Repeal Measure Q (with it’s ¼ cent sales tax) which is the major source of funding for the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit District.
In the notice (included below), RepealSMART outlines the primary reason for this campaign--that SMART’s current plan does not substantially deliver the benefits that were promised voters in 2008 with Measure Q, and as such, repealing Measure Q will provide a “strategic timeout” for SMART to re-evaluate their plan and come back to the voters with an accurate, effective and fully funded plan.
To qualify the initiative to be placed on the ballot, proponents must submit 37,314 valid signatures collected from voters throughout the District, which comprises Sonoma and Marin Counties. These signatures must be collected within a 6 month period, after which the signatures will be verified and the initiative scheduled for an upcoming election.
RepealSMART spokesman Clay Mitchell states, “We strongly deplore the decisions SMART continues to make in pursuing an ineffectual and deeply flawed project. SMART has not been forthcoming with accurate cost projections, and when compelled to do so, the picture is dismal. Taxpayer money is being spent at an alarming rate, while the scope of the project has been chopped to a fraction of what was promised to the voters. This is not at all what we voted for.”
Mitchell continues, “We are left with no choice but to pursue action to compel SMART to stop burdening the citizens of Sonoma and Marin Counties with further debt for half a rail project that does not accomplish it’s stated goals or conform to the guidelines that were presented to voters back in 2008. We will take this matter to the voters, and make the case for fiscal sanity and proper financial planning. It is important that SMART be held accountable to deliver what was promised, which is unattainable under the current plan.”
NOTICE OF INTENT TO CIRCULATE PETITION
Notice is hereby given by the persons whose names appear hereon of their intention to
circulate the petition within the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District for the purpose of qualifying the “Repeal of the Sonoma-Marin Passenger Rail Act” for the ballot. A statement of reasons for the proposed action contemplated in the petition is as follows:
In 2008, the Sonoma-Marin Area Transit District (“SMART”) asked voters to approve Measure Q, funding their transportation project through imposition of a quarter-cent sales tax. In this measure, SMART outlined a $541M financial plan that they labeled "reasonable and conservative," promising that "Measure Q fully covers SMART's train costs for 20 years." SMART outlined three principal benefits to their project: reduce road congestion, protect the environment through reduced emissions and provide transportation options.
Since Measure Q passed, this plan and its economics have changed dramatically-- to the point where it does not substantially accomplish two of the three stated goals --reducing congestion and reducing emissions. This is due to low ridership, resulting in minimal mitigation of either congestion or emissions. Capital costs have increased by 28% to an estimated $695 million for the promised system; revenue projections have subsequently been revealed as inadequate and overly optimistic, leaving a $350 million budget gap.
As a result, funding has only been allotted for an Initial Operating Segment, featuring a reduced track length of more than 45% for rail and 67% for trail. Ridership projections have been cut almost in half to 2860 one-way trips per day. Seven of the 14 proposed stations are not in the initial plan- neither are ticket machines to sell tickets. Despite these cuts, funding has still not been fully secured for this first phase. Additionally, operating cost estimates have increased 38.8%, and farebox recovery has sunk from a tepid 36% to a dismal 23%.
Additionally, funding obtained through various agencies imposes requirements of high-density residential development around train stations. This would seriously change the character of our neighborhoods and towns. This policy has led to decisions that have further cut ridership and eliminated planned stations.
While the SMART Board claims that nothing has been “cut”, there is no funding source available that would make up the $350 million shortfall or the additional operating deficit. The availability of future federal loans subsequent phases of the line is unlikely given the federal financial situation, including recent cuts to transportation funding.
It is clearly not possible for SMART to deliver to voters what was promised in Measure Q. This Act will give voters an opportunity to repeal the ordinance that was approved in 2008, cutting the financial losses that will certainly continue to occur under the current situation. The requirements of Measure Q will not be met under the current plan and therefore Measure Q should be repealed. This will give SMART a “strategic timeout” to form a new, complete plan including an adequate funding mechanism to fund the project as promised in its entirety.
RepealSMART files Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition, Launches Repeal Campaign PDF Print E-mail
Written by RepealSMART
Monday, 01 August 2011 21:28
RepealSMART is pleased to announce the official launch of it’s campaign to repeal SMART’s tax measure by publishing it’s Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition. This notice is the first step in the campaign to Repeal Measure Q (with it’s ¼ cent sales tax) which is the major source of funding for the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit District.
In the notice (included below), RepealSMART outlines the primary reason for this campaign--that SMART’s current plan does not substantially deliver the benefits that were promised voters in 2008 with Measure Q, and as such, repealing Measure Q will provide a “strategic timeout” for SMART to re-evaluate their plan and come back to the voters with an accurate, effective and fully funded plan.
To qualify the initiative to be placed on the ballot, proponents must submit 37,314 valid signatures collected from voters throughout the District, which comprises Sonoma and Marin Counties. These signatures must be collected within a 6 month period, after which the signatures will be verified and the initiative scheduled for an upcoming election.
RepealSMART spokesman Clay Mitchell states, “We strongly deplore the decisions SMART continues to make in pursuing an ineffectual and deeply flawed project. SMART has not been forthcoming with accurate cost projections, and when compelled to do so, the picture is dismal. Taxpayer money is being spent at an alarming rate, while the scope of the project has been chopped to a fraction of what was promised to the voters. This is not at all what we voted for.”
Mitchell continues, “We are left with no choice but to pursue action to compel SMART to stop burdening the citizens of Sonoma and Marin Counties with further debt for half a rail project that does not accomplish it’s stated goals or conform to the guidelines that were presented to voters back in 2008. We will take this matter to the voters, and make the case for fiscal sanity and proper financial planning. It is important that SMART be held accountable to deliver what was promised, which is unattainable under the current plan.”
NOTICE OF INTENT TO CIRCULATE PETITION
Notice is hereby given by the persons whose names appear hereon of their intention to
circulate the petition within the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District for the purpose of qualifying the “Repeal of the Sonoma-Marin Passenger Rail Act” for the ballot. A statement of reasons for the proposed action contemplated in the petition is as follows:
In 2008, the Sonoma-Marin Area Transit District (“SMART”) asked voters to approve Measure Q, funding their transportation project through imposition of a quarter-cent sales tax. In this measure, SMART outlined a $541M financial plan that they labeled "reasonable and conservative," promising that "Measure Q fully covers SMART's train costs for 20 years." SMART outlined three principal benefits to their project: reduce road congestion, protect the environment through reduced emissions and provide transportation options.
Since Measure Q passed, this plan and its economics have changed dramatically-- to the point where it does not substantially accomplish two of the three stated goals --reducing congestion and reducing emissions. This is due to low ridership, resulting in minimal mitigation of either congestion or emissions. Capital costs have increased by 28% to an estimated $695 million for the promised system; revenue projections have subsequently been revealed as inadequate and overly optimistic, leaving a $350 million budget gap.
As a result, funding has only been allotted for an Initial Operating Segment, featuring a reduced track length of more than 45% for rail and 67% for trail. Ridership projections have been cut almost in half to 2860 one-way trips per day. Seven of the 14 proposed stations are not in the initial plan- neither are ticket machines to sell tickets. Despite these cuts, funding has still not been fully secured for this first phase. Additionally, operating cost estimates have increased 38.8%, and farebox recovery has sunk from a tepid 36% to a dismal 23%.
Additionally, funding obtained through various agencies imposes requirements of high-density residential development around train stations. This would seriously change the character of our neighborhoods and towns. This policy has led to decisions that have further cut ridership and eliminated planned stations.
While the SMART Board claims that nothing has been “cut”, there is no funding source available that would make up the $350 million shortfall or the additional operating deficit. The availability of future federal loans subsequent phases of the line is unlikely given the federal financial situation, including recent cuts to transportation funding.
It is clearly not possible for SMART to deliver to voters what was promised in Measure Q. This Act will give voters an opportunity to repeal the ordinance that was approved in 2008, cutting the financial losses that will certainly continue to occur under the current situation. The requirements of Measure Q will not be met under the current plan and therefore Measure Q should be repealed. This will give SMART a “strategic timeout” to form a new, complete plan including an adequate funding mechanism to fund the project as promised in its entirety.
