Uploaded: Tuesday, October 24, 2000

Measure A:
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority 1/2-cent Transit Sales Tax

What follows is the wording of the official Measure A ballot measure and an impartial analysis by the Palo Alto chapter of the League of Women Voters, which has not taken an official position on the measure.

Shall Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) enact a 1/2-cent sales tax for 30 years beginning 4/1/06 when current tax expires, with annual audits published in local newspapers and an independent citizens watchdog committee to:

• Connect BART to Milpitas, San Jose, Santa Clara
• Build rail connection from San Jose Airport to BART, Caltrain, light rail
• Purchase vehicles for disabled access, senior safety, clean-air buses
• Provide light rail throughout Santa Clara County
• Expand and electrify Caltrain
• Increase rail, bus service

California law permits the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to impose a sales tax throughout Santa Clara County. Such a tax must be approved by two-thirds of the voters voting in an election. Revenue from this special tax would be restricted to funding only those rail and bus transportation projects and certain operating and maintenance costs which are identified in the VTA board resolution relating to this measure.

Supporters say:

1. It provides for connecting BART to San Jose and the airport, with links to light rail and Caltrain systems.

2. It does not require a tax increase, but extends the current one-half cent sales tax.

3. Expanded transit systems will take thousands of cars off the road and shorten commute time for Silicon Valley workers.

4. The focus on transit projects makes $2 billion of other funds available for highways, roads, and bicycle and pedestrian programs.

5. VTA has a strong accountability record with projects on time and on budget.

6. Transportation experts and the 15 cities in Santa Clara County worked 16 months to decide on the selections in the VTA board resolution.

7. Measure A will retain $725 million of state money for use in Santa Clara County.

Opponents say:

1. An election at a later date will provide time for better planning and public participation.

2. There has been insufficient analysis of costs and benefits of extending BART.

3. BART buy-in and cost overruns are not included in this measure.

4. Bonding against future revenues to get a "head start" could cost over $800 million in interest.

5. Funds for maintenance and operations of expanded transit systems are projected to last only until 2014 when a new tax will be needed.

6. A 30-year tax is too long to predict future traffic problems.

7. Depending on federal and state funds for roads, highway, bicycle and pedestrian improvements is unreliable.