Modal Citizen

Early Registration Deadline Extension!

2011-05-23T10:51:00.000-04:00

The deadline for receiving the early registration rate of $375 for the 2011 Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference has been extended by one week! It will now end this Friday, May 29 along with the discounted hotel rate. Get your registrations in now!

View the Agenda.

Register for TIC.

Reserve a Room at Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark Hotel.

May 3 Election Results!

2011-05-04T16:25:00.000-04:00

The May 3 special election was a great day for transit! Five communities in Michigan and one county in Ohio went to the ballot to ask voters to either renew or increase taxes to support local transit systems. All of the measures in Michigan dealt with property taxes and the one in Stark County, Ohio was to renew a quarter-cent sales tax.

The results were extremely close in Grand Rapids, MI, but the levy increase for The Rapid was approved. The rest of the measures passed with impressively high margins!

Benzie County, MI—WIN, 75%-25%
Renewal and Restoration of a 0.5 mill levy to support Benzie Bus

Holland, MI—WIN, 76%-24%
Renewal of a 0.4 mill levy to support to operations of the Macatawa Area Express bus system

Grand Rapids, MI— WIN, 50.2%-49.8%
A 0.35 mill levy increase to expand bus service across The Rapid system

Grand Haven Township, MI— WIN, 59%-41%
A 0.95 mill levy increase for Harbor Transit and road/bridge investment

Kalkaska County, MI—WIN, 72%-28%
Renewal of a five-year, 0.25-mill levy for the county's public transit authority.

Stark County, OH—WIN, 66%-34%
Renewal of a 0.25 percent sales tax for Stark Area Regional Transit Authority bus service

Transit Campaign Websites

2011-04-22T14:51:00.001-04:00

As many communities are planning for a ballot measure in November or looking ahead to 2012 elections, it is important to start thinking about the "face" of the campaign. Will the campaign have a dedicated website? Social media presence? It is never too soon to start a general educational campaign to establish a base of Twitter followers or Facebook fans and it can be helpful to raise awareness prior to the announcement of a ballot measure.

Here are some great examples from campaigns scheduled on May 3:

SARTA- Stark County, OH
Website: http://www.voteforsarta.com/qa
Tagline: SARTA, There When We Need It. Vote for 13.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SupportSARTA

The Rapid-Grand Rapids, MI
Website: http://rapidyes.org/
Tagline: Move Our Community Forward; Move Forward
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rapidyes

Benzie Bus- Benzie County, MI
Website: http://benziebusyes.org/
Tagline: Keep it Rolling!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Benzie-Bus-Yes

May 3rd Primary Ballot Filling Up with Transportation Measures!

2011-04-21T17:09:00.000-04:00

CFTE is monitoring five transportation ballot measures for the May 3, 2011 ballot:

Stark County, OH-- Renewal of a 0.25 percent sales tax for Stark Area Regional Transit Authority bus service

Holland, MI-- Renewal of a 0.4 mill property tax to support to operations of the Macatawa Area Express bus system

Grand Rapids, MI-- A 0.35 mill property tax increase to expand bus service across The Rapid system

Grand Haven Township, MI-- A 0.95 mill property tax increase for Harbor Transit and road/bridge investment

Benzie County, MI--Renewal and Restoration of a 0.5 mill property to support Benzie Bus

Do you know of any others coming up?

New Report on Successful St. Louis Measure in 2010

2011-04-13T14:45:00.012-04:00

If you are thinking of attending the 2011 TIC Conference then you should first go to http://cfte.org/TIC/TIC2011.asp to register, but after registering check out this new report by The Public Policy Research Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis on the successful transit sales tax measure in St. Louis in 2010!

From Checkbook Campaigns to Civic Coalitions: Lessons from the Passage of Prop A

103 Days Until TIC 2011!

2011-03-09T12:14:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the preliminary schedule for the 2011 Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference? This year's program includes updates to some of your favorite sessions from year's past, topics that you have been begging us to add, as well as new and timely sessions covering issues like:

Messaging transit in an anti-tax, anti-government environment;
Improving the economy and creating jobs through transportation investment;
Innovating financing measures at the ballot box;
Activating new allies to increase your community of support for transit.

Registration is open and available online. For more information on this year's conference, please visit cfte.org/TIC/TIC2011.asp

Split Results in Washington State Elections

2011-02-10T18:31:00.002-05:00

The results from Tuesday's elections in Washington state are a mixed bag. Voters in Jefferson County approved Proposition 1 by 56% to 44%. The measure asked voters to increase the local sales tax by 0.3 percent to avoid cuts to Sunday bus and dial-a-ride service. The sales tax increase is expected to generate $1.1 million annually for Jefferson Transit.

Voters in Pierce County did not approve their own Proposition 1 for a 0.3 percent sales tax increase in a 46% to 54% vote. The sales tax increase was needed just to maintain existing service by Pierce Transit. Between 2007 and 2010, the agency went through two rounds of layoffs, delay or elimination of several capital projects, fare increases and a nearly 8 percent decrease in service. A phased-in reduction of service hours is expected to begin next fall with a 35% reduction by 2012. If service were to be maintained the agency would face a $51 million shortfall by the end of next year. The measure would have generated approximately $30 million annually for the agency.

Meet us in St. Louis for TIC 2011!

2011-01-31T15:59:00.003-05:00

Registration is now open for the 2011 Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference! More Information

Join us in St. Louis, Missouri from June 20 - June 22 for the only national conference devoted to understanding the role of ballot measures in improving transportation choices and investment, and providing advice on how to achieve success at the ballot box.

Key Topics

• Trends in Transportation Ballot Measures

• Lessons from St. Louis’ Success at the Ballot Box

• Running Successful Campaigns

• Combating Critics

• Building Your Coalition of Support

• Effective Community Outreach

• Persuasive Marketing and Advertising

• Transportation Finance and the Economy

To learn more about the history of transportation ballot measures in St. Louis, get details on the conference and register, please visit http://cfte.org/TIC/TIC2011.asp. Early registration prices end on May 20, 2011.

2010 Transportation Elections Wrap-Up

2010-11-05T06:02:00.002-04:00

It was a good year for transportation ballot measures! Despite the economy and the pummeling of electoral candidates with more liberal spending views, 77% of transportation ballot measures were approved in 2010! On Election Day, measures appeared on the ballot in 13 states, with 22 out of 30 measures winning. This amounts to nearly $500 million in funding for transportation over the next five years! Throughout the course of the year, voters were faced with 56 measures for transportation and approved 43 of them. When added to funding approved earlier in the year, voters have supported over $1 billion in transportation investment in 2010!

November Election Highlights:

Over 75% of bonds were approved

Two counties in Virginia approved over $150 million in bonds to support WMATA's Capital Improvement Program
In Rhode Island, more than 70% of voters approved a statewide bond for $4.7 million to purchase and rehabilitate buses for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority

Property tax increases were the most popular type of finance measure on the ballot and the most successful, with an approval rate of 78%

Increases or renewals were successful in four Michigan jurisdictions, two West Virginia cities and two counties in Ohio.

Vehicle fees became a new and noteworthy financing tool with a 71% success rate

5 out of 7counties in the San Francisco Bay Area voted to increase vehicle registration fees by $10 to support transportation investments

Only 10% of measures yesterday were non-finance.

Registration is Open for the Transit Funding Workshop!

2010-06-10T11:39:00.000-04:00

The Center for Transportation Excellence and the American Public Transportation Association will be hosting a half-day Transit Funding Workshop this August! Join transit advocates, agency representatives, community officials and ballot measure campaign professionals to get the latest information on transportation ballot measures—from election trends to tools for success.

The workshop is scheduled for 8:00 AM - 12:15 PM on Friday, August 6 in Seattle, Washington. Topics that will be covered include Building Campaigns & Effective Coalitions, Marketing & Media Strategies, and Transit Funding in Washington.

To Register:
Please visit http://cfte.org/events/events_WAworkshop.asp to download the registration form. Completed forms can be faxed or emailed to CFTE. Registration fee is $65.

May Election Update

2010-05-21T11:41:00.015-04:00

Three transportation measures appeared on the ballots in West Virginia on May 11. Two property tax levies were approved in support of public transportation and one measure failed in an incredibly close election by three votes!

Huntington and Cabell County, West Virginia
Voters in the City of Huntington and the County of Cabell, WV gave an overwhelming endorsement of transit when they voted on May 11. Huntington and Cabell County voters approved the renewal of two Tri-State Transit Authority (TTA) levies by over 70%. The TTA levies, a city-wide measure and a county-wide measure, will each begin on July 1, 2012 and last for five years. Combined, the two levies are expected to generate about $7.3 million over five years.

Glen Dale, West Virginia
Voters in Glen Dale, WV failed to approve a property tax levy to support local bus routes by a mere 3 votes! Had it been approved, the levy would have provided funding to continue and expand Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority (OVRTA) service through the city. Since the levy failed, the Glen Dale bus route will likely be stopped. OVRTA will have the final say as to whether the route can continue without any financial support from the city of Glen Dale.

Six Stops to Success- Fifth Stop is Tomorrow!

2010-04-22T16:59:00.000-04:00

Join us tomorrow April 23 at 1:00pm EDT for our fifth webinar Social Media: Friending, Tweeting & Blogging Your Way to Success!

The use of new technology in transportation advocacy campaigns is rapidly moving from a novelty to a necessity. This webinar is designed to provide an overview of the online tools available to advocates and effective ways to employ them.

The session will be moderated by Stephanie Vance, the "Advocacy Guru" of Advocacy Associates, LLC. The panelists will include Andrew Schmid, Government and Community Relations Specialist from Sound Transit in Seattle; Sarah Goodyear, Editor and Community Manager of Streetsblog Network and Jeff Wood, the New Media Director/Chief Cartographer at Reconnecting America, and the voice behind his personal transit blog, The Overhead Wire.

All webinars are scheduled on Fridays at 1:00pm Eastern Time. To register, please visit www.cfte.org or www.napta.net!

Big Win for Transit in St. Louis!

2010-04-07T14:58:00.002-04:00

Voters approve Proposition A!

Yesterday, 63% of voters in St. Louis approved a half-cent sales tax increase to support the Metro regional transit system. The measure is expected to generate about $75 million a year and will be used to expand service and restore cuts to bus routes that were made after voters rejected a tax increase in November 2008.

This was the second transit election of 2010 and the second win! A sales tax increase in Walla Walla, WA was approved by 76% of the voters in February. Upcoming elections include a sales tax measure in Bellingham, WA on the April 27 ballot and property tax measures on the ballot in Glen Dale and Huntington,West Virginia on May 11.

New Poll Demonstrates High Level of Support for Investment in Public Transportation

2010-04-02T15:03:00.000-04:00

Good news for transit advocates! The results of a new nationwide poll demonstrate that a majority of voters in every type of community—urban, suburban, small town and rural—believe that a larger portion of transportation spending should go towards public transit. Even more importantly, a majority of voters are willing to increase their own taxes to expand or improve their transportation options.

The survey, conducted on behalf of Transportation for America, was designed to assess the attitudes of registered voters towards public transportation, walking and biking. The results of the poll are overwhelmingly in favor of increasing transportation choices and funding. This support has been regularly demonstrated at the ballot box over the past decade, as CFTE has documented that 70% of transportation ballot measures have been approved by voters. For communities struggling to provide the necessary financial support for public transportation, these results can help support the decision to place a funding measure on the local or regional ballot.

Many campaigns struggle with how to convince the segment of voters that do not use the transit system that it is worth voting to support. In the recent St. Louis campaign, slogans like “Some of us ride it. All of us need it.” have been used to get that message to voters. The survey found that this message resonates, as more than a quarter of respondents said that the most compelling reason for improving and expanding public transportation would be to provide more affordable transportation choices to those who need them and to enable people to get where they need to go.

More information on the poll results can be found HERE.

Webinar Rescheduled!

2010-03-22T17:32:00.000-04:00

Due to technical difficulties Making Your Message Matter has been rescheduled to this Friday, March 26, 2010 at 1:00pm EDT. If you were unable to participate last Friday, consider this your second chance! If you did sign in to the webinar, we apologize for the inconvenience and hope you will be able to join us and our wonderful speakers this Friday for a do over!

Making Your Message Matter
REGISTER HERE

Connect with media and communication experts to gather insights and perspectives that can transform your public relations and media efforts.

Moderator:
Rosemary Sheridan,VP Marketing and Communications, APTA
Speakers:
Barry Barnes , Partner, TBWB Strategies, San Francisco, CA
Oliver Griswold, Account Supervisor, GMMB, Washington DC
Kyle Curtis, Creative Director, R&R Partners, Salt Lake City, UT
Michael Navarre, R&R Partners, Salt Lake City, UT

HIRE ACT SIGNED INTO LAW

2010-03-18T16:06:00.002-04:00

Today President Obama signed the HIRE Act into law, which includes a long-term extension for the surface transportation program through December 31, 2010.The HIRE ACT will also transfer $19.5 billion into the Highway Trust fund to ensure that it remains solvent during that period. This includes $4.8 billion that will be transferred to the Mass Transit Account. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will now be able to allocate the remaining 58 percent of formula funds appropriated for FY 2010.

Register Now for Six Stops to Success!

2010-03-16T16:13:00.002-04:00

The free, six-part webinar training series continues on Friday, March 19 with Making Your Message Matter. Even if your community is not looking to go to the ballot in 2010, it is never too early to begin laying the groundwork! This session will be moderated by Rosemary Sheridan, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at APTA. The panelists will include Jared Boigon from TBWB Strategies, Oliver Griswold from GMMB and Kyle Curtis and Michael Navarre from R&R Partners.

Six Stops to Success will continue with webinars once a month through May. All webinars are scheduled on Fridays at 1:00pm Eastern Time. To register, please visit www.cfte.org or www.napta.net!

Six Stops to Success:

Putting your Transportation Message in Service

COMPLETED WEBINARS:

* Friday, November 13, 2009 Election Trends: Learning from the Past and Looking to the Future

* Friday, January 15, 2010 Getting Started on a Ballot Measure Campaign

* Friday, February 19, 2010       Building a Winning Coalition

FUTURE WEBINARS:

*Friday, March 19, 2010           Making Your Message Matter
*Friday, April 23, 2010              Social Media: Friending, Tweeting & Blogging Your Way to Success
*Friday, May 14, 2010              Silencing the Naysayers

Transit on April Ballot in Whatcom County, WA

2010-03-16T16:07:00.001-04:00

Transit ridership has been growing in Whatcom County, Washington at

a record pace. Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) reports that between

2006 and 2009 ridership on WTA buses increased by 52 percent.

However, the current economic climate has forced WTA to make over

$2 million in cuts and they are facing over $4 million in

additional cuts over the next year.

A group of community leaders have formed a committee called The

People for Whatcom Transit. This coalition of transit supporters

have been working to ensure WTA has the ability to continue to

provide public transportation by placing a measure on the April

27th ballot. The measure asks voters to raise the local sales tax

an additional 0.02 percent to prevent future transit cuts.

A recent survey indicated that 56 percent of residents would

support a sales tax increase to maintain or improve transit

service. To find out more about this measure visit the campaign

website: http://www.preserveourpublictransit.org/pitch-in

March 9- California Transit Initiatives Training Workshop

2010-03-03T13:30:00.004-05:00

Join CFTE next week in Sacramento for the California Transit Initiatives Training Workshop!

On March 9, join transit advocates, agency representatives, community officials and ballot measure campaign professionals from around the state to get the latest information on transportation ballot measures--from election trends to tools for success. This workshop is an abridged version of the biannual Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference tailored to meet the needs of communities preparing to go to the ballot.

Sessions will provide case studies from successful campaigns, address how to use media and communication strategies to get the transit message out, and explain how to build a strong, supportive coalition. Interested in the November 2010 California statewide measure to close loopholes and prevent the state from raiding transit funds? A special afternoon session will provide an overview of this initiative and detail ways to get involved!

Program-at-a-Glance

9:00 am Welcome & Introductions
9:15 am Winning Campaigns & Effective Coalitions
10:30 am Marketing & Media Strategies that Work
11:45 am Lunch & Keynote Presentation
1:00 pm Building the Transit Vote Coalition
2:00 pm California Statewide Measure
3:45 pm Workshop Adjourns

Registration for the workshop is available at www.CFTE.org

Walla Walla Voters Approve Sales Tax Increase by 76%!

2010-02-16T13:21:00.001-05:00

2010 is off to a good start for transportation ballot measures!
On February 9, voters in Walla Walla, WA approved a sales tax measure placed on the ballot by Valley Transit. Despite only needing a simply majority to pass, voters approved the measure by a whopping 76%! The transit sales tax for the Walla Walla County Public Transportation Benefit Area, which includes Walla Walla and College Place, is now 0.6 percent. The 0.3 percent increase will help support the agency's bus system and prevent service cuts that were planned for the near future.

Locals Support Transit Even when the State Cuts Funding!
In 2000, a state repeal of the motor vehicle tax led to a 53 percent decrease in revenue for Valley Transit. The agency initially sought to close the revenue gap with fare increases and service cuts, but this only sustained the transit agency until recently. In the last year, Valley Transit has tripled fares (from 25 cents to 75 cents) and finally decided to give voters the option to raise the sales tax or prepare for an additional 50 percent service cut. As we have seen over and over again around the country, the voting public is not afraid to raise taxes to support transportation choices!

Six Stops to Success: Putting your Transportation Message in Service

2009-10-23T17:59:00.002-04:00

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

Island County Votes to Increase Sales Tax for Transit

2009-09-02T16:02:00.003-04:00

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.

May Election-Mixed Results for Transportation Measures in Michigan

2009-05-12T18:30:00.005-04:00

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.

2009 Transit Initiative & Communities Conference - Register Today!

2009-03-17T14:47:00.006-04:00

2009 Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference

Salt Lake City, Utah

May 31 - June 2, 2009

Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel

REGISTRATION FOR TIC 2009 IS NOW OPEN!

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

Oh, the Places You'll Go....With a Little Stimulus Funding

2009-02-20T17:40:00.003-05:00

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.

If You Were Elected President, How would you get to Washington?

2008-12-19T17:31:00.005-05:00

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?

Tampa's Transportation Odyssey: 2010

2008-11-17T17:51:00.004-05:00

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.

One Small Step by Voters, One Giant Leap for Transportation

2008-11-06T13:46:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, a British publication described the election of the first African-American president as another "small step for man, giant leap for mankind". Americans also took a giant leap in the direction of improving transportation choices. Voters across the country signaled their support for transportation-related investment by approving more than $75 billion in new funding for transit. In 16 states, from Rhode Island to Hawaii, voters approved more than 70% of transportation measures. The continued success of transportation ballot measures is especially noteworthy this year considering the on-going economic challenges facing the nation.

There were 32 such measures on the ballot and 23 of them were decided in favor of public transportation,with one measure still undecided. The three largest measures, $40 billion for transportation projects in Los Angeles, $17.8 billion for commuter rail and buses in Seattle and a $9.9 billion bond to begin a high-speed rail line from San Francisco to Los Angeles were all approved by voters. This year has been among the most successful election cycles ever in terms of overall investment and percentage of approved measures.

A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at http://www.cfte.org.

Transit Campaigns Cross the Digital Divide

2008-10-21T14:38:00.004-04:00

For decades, campaign managers and staff have been trying to figure out how to reach the younger voters. In the last decade, the internet was the answer to reaching the modern voter. This year, campaigns are taking it a step further by adding social networking and other internet media outlets to their strategies. Presidential and issue campaigns alike are suddenly realizing the true power of the internet.
The Sound Transit campaign, Mass Transit Now! Yes on Proposition 1, in Seattle, Washington has joined with a number of other campaigns this year in crossing the digital divide to reach younger voters. YouTube, Twitter and Facebook are among the media outlets that are being used in this campaign to get their message out.
Visit http://www.masstransitnow.org/ to see what the Mass Transit Now! Yes on Proposition 1 campaign is doing to reach voters.

Where could $248 billion get us?

2008-10-17T18:14:00.002-04:00

For many months, we have seen that transit ridership has been increasing across the country. Now and in the future, many of our current systems will need funding to modernize their transit lines and to keep up with growing demand. Funding will also be needed for the 37 states that have proposed 400 new transit projects.

According to a new report from Reconnecting America, interest in new transit projects is worth $248 billion. This is roughly the same amount that SAFETEA-LU allocated to surface transportation from 2004 to 2010, of which transit will only see 20%. Imagine where we could get if the next administration invested all of that funding in new transit projects. Energy independence? Reduction of GHG emissions? New jobs? Economic security?

Brother, Can You Spare a Billion?

2008-10-07T13:57:00.002-04:00

There’s a perfect financial storm brewing for states. First, the Washington Post reports that many states are being hit by the current financial crisis in much the same way that some big firms are. Some states, notably California and Massachusetts, have raised concerns about their ability to access tight credit markets for vital short-term borrowing. California may end up joining the ranks of big banks and Wall Street firms needing federal assistance to stay afloat. Paging, Hank Paulson.

Those same problematic credit markets are causing trouble for states and cities relying on bonds to finance key projects. The market for state and municipal bonds, traditionally a safe haven, is also under tremendous pressure and has seen its weakest year since 1999. Massachusetts has pulled a $750 million offering based on market turmoil and uncertain demand. Fewer buyers and higher costs are putting governments in a squeeze.

Lastly, the slow economy is continuing to yield lower than expected sales tax revenues while property taxes and real estate transaction fees are being hit by the collapse of the housing market. Just to top things off, gas tax revenues and other user fees are also falling with reduced driving and slower economic growth. The Center on Budget and Polity Priorities released a new report showing that 15 more states are facing a budget shortfall. The mid-fiscal year gap is estimated at nearly $6 billion and is almost certain to grow.

These trends may be temporary and based on current economic events, but they demonstrate the longer-term investment challenges that states and regions face with uncertain funding sources. Voters will have the chance to weigh-in on new funding measures in 22 states or communities this fall. That new investment may be needed now more than ever.

Five Transportation Measures to Watch

2008-10-06T18:20:00.001-04:00

With 23 transportation measures and counting on the November ballot, some elections are shaping up to be particularly compelling. From the ambitious to the politically embattled to a last ditch effort to keep a transit system operating, the following five elections are ones to watch:

• Seattle, Washington- Proposition 1
– In November 2007, Seattle voters were presented with a 20-year, $47.2 billion Roads and Transit plan, which they rejected for its cost and construction time. This November, voters will again be presented with a transportation financing measure, but one that has been pared down to address voter’s concerns. If approved, Sound Transit’s expansion plan is expected to cost $17.8 billion and take only 15 years to implement 34 miles of light rail and expand bus service.
• California, statewide- Proposition 1A
– Voters across the state of California will be deciding on a $10 billion bond proposal to begin construction of an 800-mile, high-speed rail line that would move commuters from San Francisco to Los Angeles in about four hours. If the measure is approved, construction could start as soon as 2011.
• St. Louis, Missouri-Proposition M
– Originally scheduled for the ballot earlier this year, the half-cent sales tax increase had been postponed throughout the year due to Metro’s various legal setbacks and the political environment in St. Louis. Finally scheduled to go before voters this November, the sales tax is expected to generate a much needed $80 million a year to keep the transit agency operating and to support planned expansions. Without approval, St. Louis residents could expect to see deep service cuts and an indefinite hold on expansion plans.
• Kansas City, MO-Question 1
– Several years in the making, this November’s 3/8-cent sales tax increase represents a promise made to voters by the city council after they overturned the results of the last light rail ballot measure. Two years ago, voters approved a plan to bring light rail to their city, but the city council overturned the plan, which they deemed underfunded and unfeasible, not long after the election. If approved by voters, the new plan, a 25 year, 14-mile light rail starter route could be the beginning of a new era for transit in Kansas City, although so could the plan approved two years ago, which is still waiting its day in court.
• Mahoning County, Ohio-Ballot Question
– The 1/4 –cent sales tax measure was rejected by voters in March when it last appeared on the countywide ballot. Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) requested that it be on the ballot again this November to give the agency more time to impress upon voter’s the dire need for additional funding. WRTA has said that without the additional $7 million the tax is expected to generate the transportation system will be forced to shutdown. Although, not as big of a financing measure as some of the others that will be on the ballot in November, countywide bus service will be completed eliminated if this does not pass.

Business Support Grows for KC Light Rail

2008-10-03T15:35:00.002-04:00

It's been a pretty good week for the folks working to secure passage of a light rail sales tax ballot measure in Kansas City. First, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce came out with an endorsement of the measure. Now, the construction industry -- long an opponent -- has decided to sit this one out. Both groups opposed a previous measure in 2001.

Southern Dis-Comfort

2008-10-03T15:13:00.002-04:00

So, it's been three weeks since Hurricane Ike disrupted the supply and distribution infrastructure for gasoline and people in the Southeast are still facing high(er) prices, long lines and shortages. The situation not only makes plain the vulnerability of our energy infrastructure but also exposes the fact that too many people lack true transportation choice. Earlier this year in Georgia, one of the states hardest-hit by the gas shortage, Gov. Perdue and the state legislature couldn't figure out a way to let citizens vote on plans to increase the sales tax to boost investment in public transportation and mobility. Groups in the state are mobilizing to push early next year for legislative action to allow citizens to boost transportation investment. Support for MARTA expansion, commuter rail, and other new projects is growing among business leaders and citizens. It will be interesting to see if the state's leaders follow along. Something to think about while you're waiting in line for gas.

LA's $40 Billion Question

2008-09-29T11:36:00.002-04:00

Late last week Gov. Schwarzenegger signed legislation to allow LA County voters to consider a half cent sales tax increase for public transportation. Estimates suggest that the 30-year levy would provide $40 billion for transit, including the 'Subway to the Sea' project. Voters will get their say on November 4. This summer the local MTA approved an increase for public transportation but that increase would have expired after six years. State legislation was needed to put the 30-year plan on the ballot. By approving the measure, L.A. voters can put the county at the forefront of local investment in public transportation.

California Slashes Transit Funding

2008-09-26T09:53:00.003-04:00

On Tuesday, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used his line-item veto power to cut an additional $100 million from state transit programs before signing the state budget.
This is in addition to the transit funding that was already cut by California lawmakers to help close the budget deficit. Overall, transit took a $663 million cut this year.
In recent years, cutting transit funding seems to be the annual mechanism for balancing the state budget. In the 2006-2007 budget the Governor and legislature redirected $1.259 billion in dedicated transit funds to non-public transit purposes. The 2007- 2008 budget also included a new statute that would automatically redirect half of all future Spillover revenue to the General Fund.

Welcome Aboard!

2008-09-24T23:39:00.002-04:00

Thanks for visiting us here at Modal Citizen, CFTE's brand-new outpost in the blogosphere. The Center for Transportation Excellence monitors developments in transportation ballot initiatives and trends in state and local transportation finance and works to assist communities and advocates for more choice and better performance in our transportation system. We aim to use this space to keep you updated on transportation elections, new research, the latest transit news, what's happening with the critics (and how to beat them), and, well, anything that's vital to making the world safe for good transportation policy. This is also your invitation to join us. Tell us what's happening in your area, share ideas and tips, complain, or just speak your mind.

There's 41 days left 'til Election Day. We'll be watching and chatting about all the transportation races. Hope you'll hop on board for the ride.