The Caltrain Precedent

We know that transportation funding is in peril and even good projects like Caltrain seem to be in trouble.  But we must not freak out when we hear the President's budget just like we shouldn't have gotten too excited when a budget from President Obama came out.  Remember this?

Boosts Transit Funding: Obama proposes a large increase in transit funding, budgeting $23 billion in 2016 and a total of $123 billion to transit over six years. That would represent a 75 percent increase over current levels. The would go toward both expansions and the maintenance and improvement of light rail, BRT, subway, and commuter rail networks.

Ha! Never going to happen with a Republican Congress right? But the flip side is worse. Because we know what that Republican Congress wants to do with a transit budget. A new classic quote via CityLab.

After all, the Republican Party’s official platform calls for a total elimination of federal subsidies to public transportation.

CityLab covers even more issues that might arise from "sanctuary city" pushback too.

But if I may add something more to the conversation, the move to stop Caltrain from getting transit money through the New Starts or even Core Capacity funding programs seriously puts a damper on any future capital projects whether they are repairs or new.  Caltrain in particular has been 4 years in the New Starts program showing how long it takes to go through the federal funding process only to have it cut out. 

I think those saying "silicon valley is rich, they should pay for it" are missing the point. First is that we pay a significant amount of of tax to the federal government and should be able to recover that money.  It's not like the region is building new huge ass freeways all the time sucking up our tax outlay, Doyle Drive not withstanding. 

Second is that this is the process that has been laid out and the rules were followed and have been since 1991.  The process to get federal transit funding is way more rigorous even than getting highway funds.  Do I think it's perfect?  No.  But neither are state or local programs that prioritize projects like BART to San Jose or HOT lanes over needed transit connections and upgrades.  We must do better, but don't hang us out to dry on good projects because of a stupid grudge. Once the central valley Rs start a Hatfield McCoy, who knows where it ends.

The reason why I started thinking about this was seeing planning begin for a project in Norfolk and an alternatives analysis for a Pittsburgh to Oakland BRT line that has been discussed forever.  These projects haven't decided on funding yet but its possible they could go local.  Though that is unlikely to happen.  If federal funding dries up, so do these projects.  They are not in California, a place that values transit spending but rather states that aren't so keen on funding capital projects and regions that have somewhat tempered pasts on active transportation.

And sure you can argue for devolution but what are we devolving to?  States that don't give a damn about cities?  Regional MPOs dominated by the suburbs? In a perfect world we have a balanced transportation system funded by regional governments that know what needs to be done to facilitate travel.  But here in the real world, federal funding is necessary to cut through some of the crap cities have to go through to do projects they think are valuable. 

Moving the goalposts is a dangerous precedent to set on a project everyone agrees on except those who believe in loyalty over a pretty solid measured process.

Transportation Election Results 2016

Ok! It's that time!  Every four years we cover elections here at The Overhead Wire.  Here are the results from 2008 and 2012.

This year we're not going to record them here.  But you can find a nifty spreadsheet at The Transport Politic that will be updated live.  Also CFTE is covering as well.  So check them out and follow along.  Also, I'll be tweeting using the hashtag #TransitVote. 

Good Luck! 

Election 2012 Results Central - Transportation Edition

We're back for the November Classic!  It's election season, and that means we'll be following the ones that matter around the country as they come in on election night.  It can be a bit tough on the West Coast when returns come in early and we still have to work until 8pm ET but we'll try our best.

2008 Results
2010 Results


If you're interested in all of the measures on the ballot in the last year including today's check out CFTE's handy webpage.  If you're interested in learning about the ones that will likely have the most impact on a national level, check out Yonah's coverage on the Transport Politic.  He'll also be tweeting out returns tomorrow evening (@TTPolitic) and as usual I'll be tweeting @theoverheadwire.

Here are the places you can find the returns.  I'll be updating this page with results as they come available. This is not all the results, but rather the ones I find most interesting.  If you have a result you want covered, tweet me or email theoverheadwire at gmail.

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California

Alameda County is looking for a half cent sales tax increase in order to help AC Transit operate better bus service and build a horrible BART extension to Livermore.  Measure B1 results can be found here.  Needs 66.7% to pass.

62.7% - For - 28% in - 9:03pm PT
64.4% - For - 43% in - 10:35pm PT
63.81% - For - 63% in - 11:31pm PT
63.01% - For - 72% in - 11:33pm PT
64.19% - For - 82% in - 12:04am PT
65.30% - For - 94% in - 12:22am PT
65.54% - For - 100% in - 12:53am PT

Tough loss.  It really annoys me that we have to pass tax measures by 2/3rds as it means that a no vote is twice as valuable as a yes vote.  Not democracy.

Los Angeles County needs a 66.7% or higher vote to extend 2008's Measure R so that projects can be fastracked.  Measure J results can be found here.

63.93% - For  - Early Vote - 9:06pm PT
64.41% - For - 3% of Precincts - 10:38pm PT
64.67% - For - 33% of Precincts - 11:44pm PT
64.83% - For - 38% of Precincts - 12:03am PT
64.75% - For - 43% of Precincts - 12:26am PT
64.69% - For - 49% of Precincts - 1:14am PT
64.63% - For - 55% of Precincts - 1:53am PT
64.71% - For - 60% of Precincts - 2:04am PT

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Colorado - WIN

El Paso County is looking to pass a sales tax measure that would benefit rural transit capital projects.  Results can be found here.

For - 73.54% - 92% in  6:58pm PT

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Hawaii - WIN

The Mayors Race is likely to decide the direction of rail transit over the next decade.  Ben Cayetano wants to halt the project and has his own plan for BRT.  Honolulu election results here.

Caldwell - 54.61% - 1st Printout-  11:05pm PT
Caldwell - 53.95% - 3rd Printout - 12:08am PT
Caldwell - 53.89% - 4th Printout - 1:16am PT

Honolulu Star Advertiser calls for Caldwell.

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Illinois - WIN

Stephenson County is seeking an advisory vote as to whether they should have a regional transit system.  You can find the results here.

For - 51.33%  - 75% in 7:17pm PT
For - 52.00% -  100% in 9:36pm PT

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Michigan  - 2 WINS

Kalamazoo is voting on a property tax for transit.  Election Results for Kalamazoo County will be found here.

For -  63%

Walker anti-tax groups got a ballot measure to withdraw from the Rapid transit system in Grand Rapids.  Election results for Kent County can be found here.

For - 73.02% - 100% in 7:43pm PT  - WIN

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North Carolina - WIN

Orange County which is home to Chapel Hill is looking for a half cent sales tax that would help with a regional transportation improvement including more fixed guideway transit.  Results here.

58.83% For - 6:49pm PT

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Ohio

Spencer and Sylvania Townships want to withdraw from the Toledo Transportation Authority. Lucas County Results Will Be Here

Mahoning County has a ballot measure that would renew an existing sales tax for transit. Results here.

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Oregon

Tigard is having an election to decide whether voters should have an ultimate say over future LRT expansion.  The amendment is called 34-203 and can the results can be found at the Washington County site. A for vote means a public vote will be needed before money can be used for light rail.

81.14% For - 100% in 8:10pm PT 

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South Carolina

Richland County is proposing a 1 cent sales tax of which 25% would be dedicated to bus operations.  Results should be found here.

CFTE Tweets that this one is too close to call. 

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Texas

Houston Metro is having a ballot measure to decide what to do with a quarter cent of the revenue from a half cent sales tax.  Previous to this measure, funding was automatically sent to member cities for roads and other improvement projects.  Some say this will determine whether the University and Uptown Light Rail Lines can be built sooner rather than later.  A yes (FOR) vote continues the diversion of money from Metro to cities. You can find Harris County results here. Results are on page 33.

78% For - 5:17pm PT
78% For - 7:53pm PT 12% in
78% For - 8:22pm PT 48% in
78.87% For - 10:08pm PT 56.4% in
78.80% For - 10:25pm PT 99% in

This looks like it will pass.

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Tennessee - Loss

Memphis has a cent per gallon gas tax on the ballot to fund transit operations in the region. Results should be found here.

 Gas tax fails according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal

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Virginia  2 Wins

Arlington County is having a bond election for transportation that includes funding for Metro and other important things we love.  I can't find anything definitive but it seems as if funding for the Pike Streetcar would come from this pot of money as well.  Results for the county can be found here.

78% For - 5:22pm PT
80% For - 7:34pm PT 92.47% in

Virginia Beach is having an advisory vote on whether Light Rail is a good idea for the city as an extension of the existing Norfolk line.  Election results for Virginia Beach should be located here.

The Virginian Pilot is calling race 62% for LRT.  

~~~
Washington State 1 Loss - 

Clark County is having a vote on a .1 cent sales tax that would provide operating money for BRT and LRT in Vancouver WA.  Results will be found here.

Loss - 56.33% Against 10:15pm PT

Pierce County is having a vote on a .3 cent sales tax that would support Pierce Transit operations.  Results will be found here.

For - 49.15% - 38% in - 10:22pm PT
For - 49.20% - 41% in - 11:33pm PT

Transit Election Central 2010

Hey everyone. This post is going to be a liveblog this evening when the results are coming in. Key things around the country include Tampa Light Rail and Governors races that could make or break HSR. If you want a preview, check CFTE. We did this in 2008 and had a blast. Join us later this evening.

Check below for a local transport issue

6:58pm PT - O'Malley Wins Maryland Governorship, Purple line safe
7:49pm PT - John Hickenlooper wins Colorado, Good for transit
7:52pm PT - Scott Walker wins Wisconsin, good thing feds signed HSR agreements
8:17pm PT - Pretty official, Tampa Light Rail dies almost 60-40
8:53pm PT - Tenafly non-binding rail measure loses
9:18pm PT - Clayton County non-binding resolution for MARTA will pass
12:34am PT - Jerry Brown wins governors race, HSR is a go

I'll fill in more of these tomorrow as I get time, kind of a disappointing day but there will be other big wins in the future.

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California --

Prop 22 - Keeps the state from raiding local taxes including transportation

36% Reporting - 63% For 37% Against

________________
Lots of $10 registration fees, covering high transit percentage only

San Francisco Prop AA - $10 registration fee for roads, transit and ped improvements

60% Yes 40% No
________________
San Mateo Measure M - $10 registration fee for roads, transit, safe routes to school


________________
Sonoma Measure W - $10 registration fee, 60% for transit service

________________

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Florida --

Polk County - (Loss) Half Cent Sales Tax for Transit

87% Reporting - 38% Yes 62% No
92% Reporting - 38% Yes 62% No
95% Reporting - 38% Yes 62% No
97% Reporting - 38% Yes 62% No
________________

Hillsboro County (Loss) - Half Cent Sales Tax for Light Rail, Roads

43% Reporting - 40% For 60% Against
68% Reporting - 41% For 59% Against
82% Reporting - 41% For 59% Against
86% Reporting - 41% For 59% Against
94% Reporting - 41% For 59% Against
________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Clayton County GA (Win) - Nonbinding - Asking if Voters Want to Join MARTA

46% Reporting - 67% Yes 33% No
67% Reporting - 68.6% Yes 31.4% No
77% Reporting - 69% Yes 31% No
93% Reporting - 70% Yes 30% No
100% Reporting - 70% Yes 30% No

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oahu Hawaii - Question 1 - Would establish a transit agency to oversee rail construction



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tenefly, NJ (Loss) - Nonbinding Question #1 Should Tenefly Rail Service be Restored

Rejected - local news reports many upset that it would not provide a one seat ride to Manhattan thus voted against the line
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Toledo, Ohio - (Win) Property Tax Renewal to Support Transit

1% Reporting - 54% For 46% Against
30% Reporting -54% For 46% Against
75% Reporting - 54% For 46% Against
84% Reporting - 54% For 46% Against

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Portland, Oregon - $125M in bonding ability for Tri-Met

55% Reporting - 46% Yes 54% No

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Texas

Austin - Prop 1, $90M in infrastructure

10% Reporting 56% Yes 44% No
37% Reporting 56% Yes 44% No
68% Reporting 56.6% Yes 43.4% No
92% Reporting 57% Yes 43% No

________________

Richland Hills - (Loss?) Asking voters if they want to leave the Fort Worth Transit Authority

Early Voting - 59% For 41% Against
12% Reporting - 61% For 39% Against
38% Reporting - 61% For 39% Against
100% Reporting 61.7 % For 31.3% Against
________________
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Wisconsin

Dane County/Madison Asking for a half cent sales tax to fund a Dane County RTA

Note- Really hard to decipher results here given only advisory vote.

CA - 10 Special Election + Smart Growth

I was looking through the candidates for the special election to replace Rep. Ellen Tauscher in California's District 10 and was struck by the amount of attention was given to "smart growth and transportation" on almost all of the democratic candidates websites.

John Garamendi has a fairly in depth transportation page that discusses TOD, HOT Lane BRT, eBart expansion (we can talk about whether this is a good idea at all later), and cycling. Anthony Woods has a page that mixes transportation and smart growth even if smart growth is never mentioned in the description. Finally Mark DeSaulnier, who helped write SB375, has large descriptions in separate sections on transportation and smart growth.

It's amazing how far the movement has come but I'm reminded by a post by Kaid Banfield at the NRDC switchboard that there is still a long way to go. Density itself has to be designed well to work, and now that the issue of smart growth is getting greater attention, we need to push the issue even further. While the talk of the above candidates is great, I'm still wondering if they actually get it.