Dear Editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to another
uninformed column written by Dennis Taylor. In his Oct. 23 column,
Mr. Taylor stated that the Valley Transportation Authority
(VTA)
”
has shown a disdain for mass-transit programs.
”
Mr. Taylor has obviously not paid much attention to VTA’s
policies during the past two years.
Dear Editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to another uninformed column written by Dennis Taylor. In his Oct. 23 column, Mr. Taylor stated that the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) “has shown a disdain for mass-transit programs.” Mr. Taylor has obviously not paid much attention to VTA’s policies during the past two years.
First, some facts: In 2000, voters approved VTA’s Measure A, a continuation of a half- cent sales tax. This Measure begins in 2006 and it sunsets in 2036. Measure A is a TRANSIT ONLY sales tax and all of its projected $6 to $7 billion dollars are going to fund BART, light-rail extensions, buses and commuter trains. Mr. Taylor’s claim that we are not investing in our transit system is completely inaccurate.
Because the 2000 Measure A is a transit only sales tax, none of the projected $6 to $7 billion dollars goes to future highway and roadway improvement. It is precisely this “transit-only” focus that has led me to champion this November’s Measure B on our ballot. We need a balanced approach to ensure funding for both transit and road improvements. The 2002 Measure B will allocate $2.1 billion dollars from State and Federal transportation dollars to fund future road projects. Securing this funding will be accomplished without raising taxes.
South County will be a clear beneficiary of Measure B. If passed, Measure B will provide funding for: Interchange improvements at Tennant Avenue and Highway 101; Interchange improvements at Tenth Street and Highway 101; a new interchange at Buena Vista and Highway 101; Interchange improvements at Highway 101 and Route 25; and improvements on Route 25 to the San Benito County line. In addition, monies will be available to fix potholes and make other needed local road improvements.
Residents will continue to both drive and take transit. My responsibility is to improve both areas for my constituency. I support Measure B because it creates this needed balance between transit and road projects.
Donald F. Gage, Gilroy, Supervisor, District 1
Submitted Monday, Oct. 28 to ed****@ga****.com
