Tuesday transit vote run-down

Tomorrow, while the country pays attention to gubenatorial elections in Louisiana and Kentucky, voters in three metro areas will vote on transit initiatives. One is opposed by a secretive group of opponents, one is actually a battle between two initiatives and one is in Tucson. Want to know more? Click below.

(Graphic to the right is the proposed Houston system)

Kansas City: There are actually two initiatives here. The first, Question 1, is a small sales tax increase for five years to maintain the bus system, make small improvements and buy time for officials to draw up a larger plan for the future of transit in the K.C. area. Question 3 is a larger tax increase over 12 years proposed by activist Clay Chastain. It would create a light-rail system, street cars and electric buses. The Kansas City League of Women Voters has the text of the initiaves here.

It looks like Question 1 has a much better chance of passing, since the Kansas City Star just about every business group has come out against Question 3. The problem arises if both initiatives pass. Will there be a double tax for huge transit improvements? City officials say the initiative with the most votes will take effect, but you can bet it will be tied up in court on the off chance it happens. The risk here is that supporters of Question 3 will not vote for Question 1, killing both initiatives.

Houston: This is the light rail battle royale of 2003. A referendum to expand Houston's nascent light rail system is expected to pass, according to recent polls. It's a $64.5 million bond issue to improve roads and build 22 miles of light rail and eight miles of commuter line. It also asks voters to approve a plan to build 73 miles of light rail by 2025, contingent on another bond issue vote in 2009.

The plan is ambitious, to match the scope of Houston's transit problems. Such a big plan is guaranteed to draw big enemies, which this plan has. The only problem is that nobody knows who they are. Texans for True Mobility, the main anti-rail group, has been sued by the Houston Chronicle and the group Pro-Rail Houston for refusing to release its donor list in violation of state law. Of course, the money flows in both directions, with Metro offering free rides to the polls.

Tucson: Propositions 200 and 201 would raise sales and construction taxes to improve transit, which includes plans for a 13-mile light rail line and new bus routes to feed into the system. Tucson would be one of the smallest cities with a light rail system, serving a populaton of 800,000, compared to more than twice that in Sacramento. Rail opponents say construction would disrupt business and worsen traffic, while some supporters worry the federal money required to complete the line won't be available.

The bottom line: Houston's is the vote that matters, and it's likely to pass. By far the most expansive plan, it would completey revolutionize how people get around in one of America's largest city. Of course, the federal money might not come through (Tom DeLay, I'm looking at you), cost overruns could leave Houstonians with a much smaller system, or perhaps the car culture is too entrenched. However, 72 miles of light rail could revolutionize the way people get around much the same way it did in Washington in the 1970s and 1980s.