A Fair Message To Voters on Austin’s Light Rail Proposal
COST Commentary: Below is a message to voters which evolved as a by-product of a citizens’ discussion session. It does a great job of encapsulating and condensing the array of complex issues regarding the City’s poorly worded Light Rail Proposition 1. All voters should consider these key issues
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A Fair Message to Voters from Concerned Citizens:
If you support money for roads, you have no guarantee this will happen if this proposition passes. You should vote No.
If you support money for roads, you deserved a chance to vote for them, a chance you do not have on this ballot: You should vote No.
If you support rail for $600 million, you have a dilemma, because, it will cost $1 billion to get this rail project funded ($600 million + meeting the legal condition of $400 million for roads). If you think this is unaffordable: You should vote No.
If you do not believe this light rail will reduce congestion, cost-effectively: You should vote No
If you want a different route or plan for rail, this isn’t likely to happen in the next decade if this proposition passes: You should vote No.
If you think big, expensive decisions like this should be made in an open process and be part of a comprehensive and affordable transportation plan: You should vote No, if for no other reason than to teach the City Council (and others) a lesson.
If you think, regardless of whether it’s for rail or road, increasing debt on local taxpayers by $1 Billion is unaffordable (especially considering that taxpayers will have to pay interest on top of the $1 billion): You should vote No.
If you think you should know the City’s planed rail expansions, costs, and future tax increases, before approving this initial plan: You should vote No.
If you prefer to have bond propositions separated, as they always were for decades in Austin: You should vote No.