The Center for Transportation Excellence and the National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates presents a free, six-part webinar series that will provide advocates and transportation organizations with the necessary tools to take a transportation ballot measure from an idea to a success at the ballot box.
Registration is now open!
November 13, 2009
Election Trends: Learning from the Past and Looking to the Future
January 15, 2010
Getting Started on a Ballot Measure Campaign
February 19, 2010
Building a Winning Coalition
March 19, 2010
Making Your Message Matter
April 23, 2010
Social Media: Friending, Tweeting & Blogging Your Way to Success
May 14, 2010
Silencing the Naysayers
For more information and to register, please visit: www.cfte.org
Friday, October 23, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Island County Votes to Increase Sales Tax for Transit
Voters in Island County, WA approved a sales tax for transit by 55% to 45% on August 18. The three-tenths of 1 percent increase would boost the local transit sales tax to 0.9 percent to support Island Transit's bus system. The system, which operates fare-free, has recently been struggling due to declining tax revenues, despite consolidating routes and saving nearly $700,000. The threat of more route consolidation and cuts has been abated by the recent measure. Revenues in 2010 are expected to be about $6.6 million, with the increase generating about $2.2 million of that.
A tax increase was last approved by voters in 2000.
A tax increase was last approved by voters in 2000.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
May Election-Mixed Results for Transportation Measures in Michigan
Election results for the first transportation ballot measures of the year are mixed. Two regions in Michigan took transportation funding issues to the ballot on May 5. The results are one solid win for public transportation and one very close loss.
Last November, a measure to increase the property tax millage in Kalamazoo County, MI failed at the ballot. In response, a two-tiered plan was designed to get Metro Transit the funding it needs. The first part of the plan was approve last week by 63% of voters! A 0.4-mill property tax levy was approved to pay for Care-A-Van service and bus routes that would extend beyond the city of Kalamazoo. The tax will generate approximately $3.27 million a year.
For the second part of the plan, the City Commission is expected to approve another measure for the November ballot, in which voters within the city of Kalamazoo would be asked to approve another 0.6-mill tax. The city tax in November would raise about $1.06 million annually for Metro Transit within Kalamazoo.
The news from Grand Rapids, MI was not as positive. Voters in Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Walker, Wyoming and Grandville failed to approve a property tax increase to pay for a high-speed bus line operated by The Rapid. Although the measure appeared on the ballot last week, the 0.16-mill increase was not scheduled to go into effect until 2012. Election results were 52% against and 48% in favor.
Revenue from the tax would have covered operating costs of the new system and maintenance for existing Rapid bus routes.
Last November, a measure to increase the property tax millage in Kalamazoo County, MI failed at the ballot. In response, a two-tiered plan was designed to get Metro Transit the funding it needs. The first part of the plan was approve last week by 63% of voters! A 0.4-mill property tax levy was approved to pay for Care-A-Van service and bus routes that would extend beyond the city of Kalamazoo. The tax will generate approximately $3.27 million a year.
For the second part of the plan, the City Commission is expected to approve another measure for the November ballot, in which voters within the city of Kalamazoo would be asked to approve another 0.6-mill tax. The city tax in November would raise about $1.06 million annually for Metro Transit within Kalamazoo.
The news from Grand Rapids, MI was not as positive. Voters in Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Walker, Wyoming and Grandville failed to approve a property tax increase to pay for a high-speed bus line operated by The Rapid. Although the measure appeared on the ballot last week, the 0.16-mill increase was not scheduled to go into effect until 2012. Election results were 52% against and 48% in favor.
Revenue from the tax would have covered operating costs of the new system and maintenance for existing Rapid bus routes.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
2009 Transit Initiative & Communities Conference - Register Today!
2009 Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference
Salt Lake City, Utah
May 31 - June 2, 2009
Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel
The Center for Transportation Excellence is gearing up for its biannual Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference. This year's conference will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah from May 31 - June 2, 2009. TIC brings together transit agencies, local officials, transportation supporters, advocates, and ballot measure campaign professionals to get the latest information on transportation ballot measures.
Although transportation measures have traditionally done well at the ballot, many communities are uncertain of how to approach voters with local transportation's need for financial support. This year's conference will take an in-depth look at how to pass initiatives and build support for transportation investment in the midst of the current economy.
The TIC Conference features leading national transportation experts, seasoned campaign professionals, and lots of opportunities for interaction and dialogue. Sessions will detail the latest in financial trends, their impact on transportation and how to translate this knowledge into a successful ballot measure.
This year's sessions include:
* Pitching Your Ballot Measure in Tough Economic Times
* Turning Values into Votes through Regional Visioning
* Campaign Tactics: Using New Technologies in Your Campaign
* The Big Picture - Economic Trends, the Recession & Your Ballot Measure
* Building the Transit Vote Coalition
Register Now or Learn how you can become a Sponsor
Friday, February 20, 2009
Oh, the Places You'll Go....With a Little Stimulus Funding
Transit agencies and advocates are hopeful that some funding from the $787 billion economic stimulus bill will make its way into their cities and communities. The stimulus bill included $8.4 billion in funding for transit and $8 billion in funding for high-speed rail corridors, the latter being inserted into the bill by a specific request from President Barack Obama.
MARTA in Atlanta is hoping that more than $60 million in funds will make it their way, although the funding is likely to be used to maintain current programs rather than expand service.
The Florida High Speed Rail Authority is hopeful that some of the $8 billion in high speed rail funding will be used to begin construction on a high speed rail line from Orlanda to Tampa. The high speed rail line has been on the back burner since November 2004 when voters opposed using state taxes for the project.
MARTA in Atlanta is hoping that more than $60 million in funds will make it their way, although the funding is likely to be used to maintain current programs rather than expand service.
The Florida High Speed Rail Authority is hopeful that some of the $8 billion in high speed rail funding will be used to begin construction on a high speed rail line from Orlanda to Tampa. The high speed rail line has been on the back burner since November 2004 when voters opposed using state taxes for the project.
Friday, December 19, 2008
If You Were Elected President, How would you get to Washington?
Well, if you were Barack Obama or Joe Biden you would take the train to your inauguration. On January 17th, the president-elect and vice president-elect, along with their families, are planning to take a train from Philadelphia, PA to Washington, DC. Stops are scheduled in Wilmington, DE and Baltimore, MD for special events along the way.
According to the inaugural committee, the choice of train as the mode of travel to the White House is symbolic of the campaign's openness and involvement message. There is also hope that it signifies an important transition by the federal government towards a recognition that multimodal transportation choices are a key part of our country's future. If the president can take a train to work, while picking up his VP along the way, why shouldn't the rest of us have transportation choices?
According to the inaugural committee, the choice of train as the mode of travel to the White House is symbolic of the campaign's openness and involvement message. There is also hope that it signifies an important transition by the federal government towards a recognition that multimodal transportation choices are a key part of our country's future. If the president can take a train to work, while picking up his VP along the way, why shouldn't the rest of us have transportation choices?
Monday, November 17, 2008
Tampa's Transportation Odyssey: 2010
CFTE has been tracking the efforts to improve transportation choices in Hillsborough County, Florida for a few years now. It finally looks like light rail will be brought to Tampa, but not before 2010. Mayor Pam Iorio and local rail supporters have been lobbying extensively for a 1-cent sales tax to appear on the 2010 ballot. Two years ago Mayor Iorio went as far as releasing a "white paper" to explain the potential benefits of light rail to hundreds of regional lawmakers and business leaders.
Before any tax referendum can be placed on the ballot, it must be approved by the Hillsborough County Commission, which in the past, has been less than supportive of raising taxes for transportation. Recently, perhaps after the success of new systems like Lynx in Charlotte, several commissioners have changed their opinion of mass transit and at least one new supporter has been elected. It appears that the votes are are now there to get a sales tax measure on the ballot in 2010. Tampa may be the next big region to improve its transportation choices, but at the very least it looks like Hillsborough County voters will finally get a voice in the matter.
Before any tax referendum can be placed on the ballot, it must be approved by the Hillsborough County Commission, which in the past, has been less than supportive of raising taxes for transportation. Recently, perhaps after the success of new systems like Lynx in Charlotte, several commissioners have changed their opinion of mass transit and at least one new supporter has been elected. It appears that the votes are are now there to get a sales tax measure on the ballot in 2010. Tampa may be the next big region to improve its transportation choices, but at the very least it looks like Hillsborough County voters will finally get a voice in the matter.
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