Quote:
Originally Posted by JDRCRASH
One major reason why Measure R was so successful in getting the votes it did, I think, is because of it had two "anchor" projects: The Westside Subway extension and the Regional Connector.
If a Measure R II is to have something similar, I can see projects things like a Purple Line Whittier Extension and Silver Line LRT serving as attention grabbers.
|
Yes, voter complacency is the only potential issue -- "We already have our pork! Screw everyone else!"
I don't view it as an issue at all. For starters, the sales tax went down a percentage point this summer. So in essence, another transit tax measure would bring the sales tax back to where it was pre-Measure R (9.25%). In my mind, Measure R 2.0 would be even easier to pass because demand for rail only increases once you have a basic network in place. Additional extensions benefit the whole, rather than just those who have direct access. The projects in Measure R 2.0 would be even more mouth-watering:
Central LA
Crenshaw Corridor extension to West Hollywood/Hollywood
Westside
Purple Line extension to Santa Monica
South LA
Vermont Corridor Subway
South Bay
Green Line extension to San Pedro or Long Beach
San Fernando Valley
I-405 Corridor extension(s) to LAX and/or San Fernando
San Gabriel Valley
Red/Purple Line extension to Whittier
Gold Line Foothill Extension Phase 2B
Gateway Cities
Green Line extension to Norwalk
...
I couldn't figure out what was best for Glendale/Burbank, but the total cost of those 7 projects would probably exceed the amount we are currently allocating toward transit under Measure R ($14 billion). We'd have to stress quality over quantity with this one.
I'm hoping we can get Measure R 2.0 on the 2016 ballot. All of the Measure R projects should be under construction by 2015, or at least they should be under 30/10.