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Greenbelt Alliance In the News

January 12, 2005

County mulls another transportation tax measure

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They met Wednesday as the Solano Transportation Improvement Authority Board to talk about the narrow defeat of Measure A in November 2004. But they did so with an eye to learning lessons for the future.

Nobody committed to trying again. Still, STIA Board members - who come from city councils and County Board of Supervisors - talked about building on the last attempt. Nobody could suggest an alternate way to get enough money to solve local traffic congestion problems.

"If we expect Solano County to become a place of employment, we have to pass this measure," Fairfield Vice Mayor Harry Price said. "Otherwise, those employers will go someplace else."

Measure A got almost 64 percent of the vote. It needed two-thirds - or 66 percent - to pass.

"It's that hardest two to three percent we've got to get," consultant D.J. Smith told the board. "But I've got to tell you, I think that it's there."

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger might call for an election in November for government reforms, Smith said. Transportation leaders might have the opportunity - though he's not yet recommending it - to try another transportation sales tax at that time, Smith said.

Measure A would have raised an estimated $1.4 billion over 30 years with a half-cent countywide sales tax increase. Money would have helped pay for county transportation and mass transit projects, such as improving the Interstates 80 and 680 interchange.

Supervisors Duane Kromm and Barbara Kondylis, Fairfield Mayor Karin MacMillan and the Greenbelt Alliance opposed the measure, saying the widened highways would promote sprawl growth. They also wanted land use controls and more mass transit.

Smith didn't see the need for dramatic changes to the project list from Measure A.

"I think it's a fundamentally good plan," Smith said.

He talked of getting labor groups more involved, including public safety unions such as police and fire. He talked of reaching out to local taxpayers groups that opposed the measure.

Among the things that hurt Measure A was mailings opposing it from a developer, Smith said. Citizens for Responsible Traffic Solutions sent out the mailer. Money came from the Halls Equities Group of Walnut Creek, according to campaign statements.

The level of support for Measure A varied through the county. The measure got 69 percent in Vallejo and Suisun City, 66 percent in Rio Vista, 64 percent in Fairfield, 61 percent in Vacaville, 58 percent in Dixon , 55 percent in Benicia and 52 percent in the unincorporated county.

Smith served as consultant for Measure A.

Reach Barry Eberling at 425-4646 Ext. 232 or at beberling@dailyrepublic.net.

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