May, 2006
The upcoming June 6th Primary Election has become the topic of local media attention. Battles continue over the proposed General Plan Initiative and the recent news about an investigation of the County Registrar can make you wonder...what's the good news?
For those of you looking for a silver lining in all the clouds we've had lately...hang in there. Measure A, a half-cent sales tax ballot measure backed by the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) will be on the ballot in June. This measure is part of TAMC's 14-year strategic plan to improve safety and traffic flow on local highways and provide funding for other projects like transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities. The sales tax will raise $350 million and enable the County to leverage $400 million in transportation funds from the State and Federal government, combined with other funding total revenue will reach $1 billion, for 16 projects throughout the County.
Central Coast Center for Independent Living has endorsed Measure A because, as a disability advocacy organization, we support efforts to improve transportation for people with disabilities. We are particularly interested in fixed route buses and "paratransit", (or transportation services for people with disabilities that cannot use the fixed route) because many of the individuals we serve cannot drive or afford vehicles. Recent cuts in transit services due to funding shortfalls have impacted their ability to live independently. If you can't get to your job, school or medical appointment, it's pretty much impossible to live your life.
Measure A would dedicate $28 million to public transit. These funds could be used for South County transit service, commuter bus service, bus stops and shelters, transit stations, and additional transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities. As a member of the Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC), I am keenly aware of the impact that the lack of transportation funding has had on our County. In fact, the Council's charge is to collect testimony on unmet transportation needs and analyze which of the needs are reasonable to meet. I look forward to a time when funding is available to implement some of the ideas that community members have had, and I appreciate the efforts that TAMC has made to take the "initiative"...pun intended... and move this through our political process.
Any effort to increase funding should be supported by Monterey County voters. Measure A will require a 2/3 majority to pass, so every vote will be important. Even if you don't have a disability and you don't use public transit, I'll bet you use the highways and would benefit from less traffic congestion and safer conditions. If the members of our own community won't take some of the responsibility for improving transportation through paying a sales tax, we certainly can't expect anyone else to do it. Vote Yes on Measure A on June 6th! For more information on TAMC and the 14 Year Plan log on to http://www.tamcmonterey.org/prog_14yrplan/index.html