Impatient with the rate at which previously approved sales tax increases are able to fund the vast expansion planned for the region's transit system, and lacking in federal support, local leaders are asking LA's voters to extend a 1/2 cent sales tax.
Local leaders in Los Angeles, led by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, are hoping that area voters are as impatient as they are to see the plan for the nation's most extensive rail and fixed-guideway bus expansion program put into action, reports Yonah Freemark. With efforts to coax the federal government into advancing the region the funds to move forward more quickly having failed, "the county approved, the state legislature accepted, and the governor
signed late last month the bill offering to the public in the form of a
referendum Measure J, which will extend the Measure R tax 30 years past its original expiration date, which was supposed to be 2039."
"What is to be voted on is not a new tax," notes Freemark. "Rather, if approved on
November 6, it will continue assessing the 1/2-cent sales tax between
2039 and 2069. The outcome may well determine the degree to which L.A.
is able to produce a truly appealing alternative to automobile travel
within a reasonable amount of time."
"L.A.'s voters, then, have a choice: Take a risk by assuming that people
of the future will want the investments being made today and therefore
be happy to pay for them, or slow down the rate of transit expansion
tremendously."
FULL STORY: Los Angeles Asks Its Voters to Extend Transit Tax Far Into the Future
After Setback, L.A. Mayor Still Intent on Speeding Transit Projects
In the aftermath of the seemingly narrow defeat of his pet measure to speed up the expansion of L.A.'s transit infrastructure, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa remains unbowed in his attempts to accelerate his key initiative, writes Ari Bloomekatz.
LA Politicos Make Final Cases For and Against Extending Transportation Sales Tax
In 2008 Los Angeles voters passed a half-cent sales tax to finance construction of a new transit system. In November, Angelenos will decide whether to extend this tax to 2069, allowing Metro to borrow more in the short term and expedite construction.
New Price Tag for L.A's Biggest Rail Dream: $13 Billion
The Sepulveda Transit Corridor could offer tens of thousands of Los Angeles commuters an alternative to the infamously congested I-405 freeway, if local officials can find the funding.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service