This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/scl/ for current information. |
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Measure C Valley Transportation Plan 2035 County of Santa Clara Advisory Vote 376,993 / 69.73% Yes votes ...... 163,649 / 30.27% No votes
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Index of all Measures |
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Results as of Nov 25 11:10am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (1,142/1,142) |
Information shown below: Yes/No Meaning | Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Full Text | |||||
Shall the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority continue to plan, design, construct and provide transit services as described in the draft Valley Transportation Plan 2035 (VTP 2035) to be adopted by December 2008? VOTING FOR THIS MEASURE DOES NOT INCREASE TAXES. YES NO
In 1976, the voters passed a law, subsequently amended in 1990, that requires the VTA to submit its comprehensive transit program to County voters for an advisory vote every six years. "Transit" primarily means buses, light rail and trains. Since it has been six years since the last vote, the VTA's transit program is due this year for another advisory vote. The VTA transit program that is the subject of this vote is the draft Valley Transportation Plan 2035 (VTP 2035) to be adopted by the VTA Board in December 2008. VTP 2035 calls for the VTA to continue planning, designing, constructing and providing transit services, and to the extent financial resources allow, VTP 2035 proposes augmenting services by improving bus and light rail vehicles and equipment; completing and enhancing light rail lines; planning for future rapid transit projects; participating in the continuing operation and improvements of Caltrain service, Altamont Commuter Express Services and Capitol Corridor Commuter Rail Services; promoting transit oriented development near major transit facilities; and continuing the development of the Downtown East Valley and the BART To Milpitas, San Jose and Santa Clara projects. A "yes" vote is a vote advising the VTA Board of agreement with the Plan. Voting yes on the advisory measure does not add or increase any taxes. A "no" vote is a vote advising the VTA Board of disagreement with the Plan. Voting no on the measure does not reduce or repeal any taxes.
Ann Miller Ravel
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Arguments For Measure C | Arguments Against Measure C | ||
Vote YES on Measure C for better transit services.
Every community in Santa Clara County has participated in and helped create a clear transportation vision for our community that works for everyone. The result is the Valley Transportation Plan 2035 (VTP 2035). VTP 2035 is a balanced mix of transit and transportation programs and projects including highways, local roads, buses, rail, special services for seniors and the disabled, bicycle lanes and pedestrian access. VTA is firmly committed to delivering the projects and services our community identified in VTP 2035. A YES vote on Measure C does not increase taxes. A YES vote on Measure C does result in improvements in transit services and programs. VTA will continue to plan, design, construct and operate much needed transit services including:
Vote YES on Measure C for better transit. VOTING FOR THIS MEASURE DOES NOT INCREASE TAXES.
/s/ Jane P. Kennedy
Proponents tell you a lot about VTP 2035. There's no way to tell whether those claims are true or not because a final VTP 2035 plan has not been finished, publicly released, or approved by VTA's Board. It's nowhere close to done.
More VTA promises...
More VTA arm-waving...
More VTA taxes... More VTA deficits... The latest VTP 2035 draft plan is billions of dollars short of balanced. It includes a sales tax that hasn't been presented to voters and it assumes tax growth 36% higher than current VTA projections. Significant changes to VTP 2035 will be required. Don't approve an unfinished, financially unbalanced plan that promises projects we can't afford to build. Tell VTA they need to finish VTP 2035 before asking voters to approve it. Vote NO on Measure C. http://www.NoMoreBrokenPromises.org
/s/ Mark Brodsky | VTA is asking us to approve a plan before we know what it contains. Why is VTA asking voters to approve a plan that isn't determined yet?
We don't know what projects VTA will cut, or how much they'll want to raise taxes. Will East San Jose get light rail? Will riders get more bus service? Will VTA pay its share to improve Caltrain service? Will VTA build an airport people mover, and when? Will BART be built to Santa Clara, just partway, or not at all? How many more sales tax increases are coming? Voters have asked these questions, but no one knows, because VTA isn't telling us. "In 1976, the voters passed a law that requires the VTA to submit its comprehensive transit program to County voters for an advisory vote every six years." -Impartial Analysis of 2002 Measure A. VTA has known for years that they were supposed to submit a finished plan for your approval this year. VTA hasn't. Last year, an external audit recommended: "Balance VTA's 30 year revenue and expenditure plan." VTA didn't. This year, the state auditor noted that "at least since 2006, the VTA has not had a document purporting to be a strategic plan." VTA still doesn't. VTA has no plan ready for anyone to read. They want you to approve, in advance, whatever they adopt in December. The purpose of this measure is for voters to express either approval or disapproval of VTA's direction. The state audit noted, "The transportation plans ... do not demonstrate one cohesive direction." Even the state auditor can't figure out what direction VTA is headed. How are voters supposed to know? It's time for VTA to accept the advice of their auditors. Join the Sierra Club in voting No on C.
/s/ Karen Maki
The opponents' claim that you won't know what it contains is disingenuous. There are over 350 different projects in the plan. It plans for the future. The needs of our valley change dramatically and rapidly. We must remain flexible to provide realistic solutions to transportation problems. To support their feeble argument, opponents rely on partial truths and scare tactics. Transportation taxes in California can only be raised by a 2/3 majority vote of the people NOT by VTA. Projects must have value. As our needs change, so must the projects that support them. Despite claims by opponents, the Bureau of State Audits found on page 5, "Over the past year, VTA has responded to this assessment (Organizational and Financial Assessment March 2007) by making numerous improvements across its organization." (http://www.bsa.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2007-129.pdf) Opponents want to persuade you to vote against projects your city, county, and transportation authority say we need. They provide no alternative. Consider the facts, not empty rhetoric. Vote Yes on Measure C for a comprehensive and realistic transit plan.
/s/ Jane P. Kennedy |
Full Text of Measure C |
Shall the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority continue to plan, design, construct and provide transit services and augment and enhance those services as described in the draft Valley Transportation Plan 2035 (VTP 2035) to be adopted by December 2008 and other related planning documents adopted by the VTA Board of Directors?
During the next six years, VTA will continue to plan, design, construct and provide transit services and will augment and enhance those services included in VTP 2035 to be adopted by December 2008, to the extent financial resources allow by: (a) continuing the ongoing program for improving bus and light rail vehicles, equipment and facilities; (b) continuing to provide comprehensive transit services; (c) completing, refining, or enhancing light rail lines;(d) continuing the development of the Downtown East Valley and the BART to Milpitas, San Jose and Santa Clara projects; (e) planning for future rapid transit service and other transit projects; (f) participating in the continuing operation and improvements of Caltrain service, Altamont Commuter Express Service and Capitol Corridor Commuter Rail Services; and (g) promoting transit oriented development near major transit facilities. During the next six years, VTA will also pursue transit supportive bicycle and pedestrian programs and paratransit (mobility impaired) services as outlined in planning documents adopted by the VTA Board of Directors. VOTING FOR THIS MEASURE DOES NOT INCREASE TAXES. This program will be carried out according to the provisions of the state statutes enabling the creation of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in 1995. |