2006 Seattle Elections

General Elections Voters' Guide

Proposition 1 - Transportation Funding - Statement For And Rebuttal

Statement For Proposition No. 1

Keep Seattle Moving — vote YES on Proposition 1.

Seattle residents rely on a safe and efficient transportation network.

Over the past 10 years Seattle has lost more than 66% ($25 million per year) of our dedicated transportation revenue, mostly due to Tim Eyman-led state-wide initiatives. The Mayor and City Council tripled General Fund revenues allocated to transportation, but this funding cannot keep pace with a growing maintenance backlog (estimated at $500 million) nor fund the improvements asked for by neighborhood groups.

Proposition 1 will improve all forms of transportation in Seattle.

Proposition 1 will:

Repave and upgrade over 360 lane miles of local streets to make them work better for all users, and allocate an additional $1.5 million to the Neighborhood Street Fund for projects to be determined by our neighborhoods.

Repair Seattle’s most vital bridges by funding key maintenance, repairs and seismic upgrades—improving safety and mobility for freight and transit.

Increase pedestrian safety and provide Safe Routes to Schools with new sidewalks, better crosswalks and other improvements on routes to schools, libraries, business districts, and recreational facilities.

Complete the Urban Bicycle Network by supporting new and upgraded bike trails and on-street routes including the Burke-Gilman, Mountainsto- Sound, Duwamish and Chief Sealth trails.

Improve transit reliability throughout Seattle by establishing “Bus Rapid Transit” (BRT) routes in West Seattle, Ballard, and Aurora, and securing 45,000 additional Metro bus hours throughout Seattle.

Proposition 1 is supported by groups and individuals who use our streets, bridges, sidewalks, crosswalks, bike paths and bike lanes every day. This coalition includes the Sierra Club, Transportation Choices Coalition, business and neighborhood leaders, bicycle and pedestrian advocates, and many of our neighbors.

Proposition 1 is affordable. This is NOT a never-ending tax. This tax will expire after nine years. Seattle voters will decide whether or not to renew the levy.

Vote YES on Proposition 1 and Keep Seattle Moving.

STATEMENT SUBMITTED BY: Michael McGinn – Sierra Club, Jessyn Schor – Transportation Choices Coalition, Chuck Ayers – Cascade Bicycle Club

Rebuttal of Statement For

WE ALREADY PAID FOR THIS ESSENTIAL SERVICE - WE SHOULDN’T BE FORCED TO PAY TWICE

Telling voters they won’t get a basic, essential service unless they vote for a special levy is horrible public policy. We can’t let them get away with it. City Hall can’t claim poverty. Seattle’s government spent over $2.9 billion for government services this year but only $177 million went for transportation. They’ve got the money; they just need to make transportation a priority.

Property taxes are skyrocketing even with voter-approved limits. This unprecedented proposal eliminates those limits, making Seattle even more unafforable for middle- and lower-income taxpayers.

The Mayor and Council broke their promise for a public vote on the viaduct/tunnel. This levy will be used as a slush fund for its multi-billion-dollar gap.

Seattle’s citizens want essential servies to be funded with existing revenues — we shouldn’t be forced to pay twice. Please vote No.

Vote NO on the Never-Ending Tax Committee

STATEMENT SUBMITTED BY: Jim Coombes, 39-year resident of Seattle, Al Rousseau, 78-year-old grandfather, lived in Seattle all my life, Albert Pong, 16-year resident of Seattle’s Rainier Valley