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Measure M projects: Can we change our minds?
September 13th, 2008, 7:00 am · 6 Comments · posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writer
The billions raised by Orange County’s half-cent transportation sales tax will be spent this way:
- 43 percent for freeways
- 32 percent for local streets and roads
- and 25 percent for mass transit, like Metrolink trains and buses.
But will that formula make sense 20 years from now?
Reader Stephen - a Measure M supporter - has doubts:
The one thing that I didn’t foresee back in 2006 (when the renewed Measure M passed) was the skyrocketing gas prices. I’m a little concerned that less than one-quarter of the bond will go towards sustainable transit investment. By now most (except maybe those in South County) would agree that widening and extending highways is not the answer to our congestion problems. Rather, it makes much more sense to better coordinate our land use with mixed use development, affordable housing closer to employment centers, and an improved transit infrastructure to provide more efficient mobility.
DO-OVER?
So. down the road, can we change our minds? As realities set in (the renewed Measure M is expected to bring in $5 billion less than predicted in 2005), as the county grows denser and more urban over the next 30 years, can we scrap some freeway projects promised by the renewed Measure M and put those billions toward mass transit projects instead?
Only with voter approval, said Orange County Transportation Authority spokesman Joel Zlotnik.
The text that voters embraced in 2006 is a blueprint, a promise, a binding contract. If it becomes apparent that the priorities of 2006 don’t work in 2020, changes could be put on the ballot, for a vote of the people. But until that happens, the formula will remain as is.
Who knows what OC will look like in 20 years? The Watchdog has always loved those adorable red trolleys in San Diego….
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September 14th, 2008 at 1:20 am
Will this meeting cover how OCTA is going to come up with a mass-transit system that won’t take 300% longer for me to get to work and back than if I drive my car?
September 14th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
OCTA can cover what ever the Board of Supervisors wants.
But, long-term solutions require long-term planning.
Look at all the money being expended by Boone Pickens on the “Pickens Plan”.
Something as simple as CNG fueled automotives is so complex that it takes an act of Congress to open up the market.
Our politicians need to permit the US Citizens to take back control of small business and the economy.
September 14th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Speaking of transportation bonds, who holds these bonds?
I keep posting this question on this blog.
Will the OC Register please explain to us citizens where the bonds are issued when we vote on these big debt instruments?
Is that the equity/asset line of Bill Gross’ PIMCO?
I saw this guy on Bloomberg. He was introduced as one of the most respected bond investors in the country or world.
He was on CNBC this afternoon when they were covering the bankruptcy filing of Lehman.
So, I ask the OC Register. Does OC have any assets at Merrill, Lehman, Goldman, or Bear Stearns?
Or, are these bonds funded through PIMCO (local guy)?
September 15th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I’ve been writing to the OC Register and others for years about the need to shift transportation dollars from building highways to encouraging telecommuting. Studies show up to 80% of office workers can do their jobs from home. Even if only half that number actually do work from home, the impact on our transportation systems would be spectacular! Let’s apply technology to the problem, rather than concrete and asphalt - work from home.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Wow, there is no mention in the blog about stopping people from moving in.
The federal government already gave us money for roads almost 2 years ago. Our governator is using our gas tax money for roads now. This money will take care of freeways and roads. So, let’s use the measure m funds to buy up land so developers can’t. Less people = less needed roads = less measure m tax needed in the future.
Having more people move here is not an asset to us residents.