Three North Bay counties—Marin, Napa and Solano— may be added to the list of those with transportation sales tax measures on the November 2004 ballot (see October/November 2003 issue). Congestion management agencies in all three counties moved forward in December 2003 with reports on polling and discussions of tentative "wish lists" for funds which could be raised by an extra half cent of sales tax.
Agency members in all three counties expressed concerns about meeting the high hurdle of a two-thirds vote—this would be a first for Napa County, but a Solano County measure failed in 2002, while Marin County had unsuccessful measures in 1980, 1990 and 1998. They also mentioned the possibility of "voter fatigue", particularly if other tax measures appear on the same ballot.
However, members also stressed the likelihood of scant state funding for these projects, especially in the short run, making local funds the best chance for local transportation improvements. With the high turnout potential of a presidential election, agency consultants predict the measures are likely to pass. If all three agencies continue in this direction, a majority of the Bay Area counties may have transportation sales tax measures on the November 2004 ballot.
At the regional level, MTC will take on several tasks while waiting for the county plans to be submitted. A critical task will be coordinating the discussions among a wide range of transportation interests on the potential strategies to raise new transportation revenues.
Commission staff will also continue to apply performance measures to projects proposed for the Transportation 2030 Plan (see Aug/Sept 2003 issue). The results of the initial evaluations will be given to the county congestion management agencies to use in developing the county plans. Projects which will need Big Tent funding will be evaluated in a second group during Phase II.
The Bay Area transit expansion plan adopted in 2001 as MTC Resolution 3434 will be reviewed and amendments will be proposed to reflect up-to-date information on the project scope, cost, funding strategy and operating plan for each of its 19 rail and bus projects. This will include evaluating several ferry expansion projects from the San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority's plan, as well as incorporating funding changes created by local sales tax measures, Regional Measure 2 to increase the bridge toll by $1 (if it is passed in March) and state budget strategies.
For more information: http://www.mtc.ca.gov/t2030; 510-464-7700