224,234 / 74.3% Yes votes ...... 77,758 / 25.7% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A "yes" vote is a vote to bind the VTA to use the designated STIP and Federal Discretionary Funds for roadway, bicycle and pedestrian projects until 2036 unless the voters subsequently repeal or amend this ordinance.

A NO vote of this measure means:

A "no" vote is a vote to not bind the VTA to use the designated STIP and Federal Discretionary Funds for roadway, bicycle and pedestrian projects until 2036.

In November, 2000, the voters approved a 1/2 of 1 percent sales tax for 30 years to finance transit projects, defined as primarily bus, light rail and commuter rail projects. This sales tax revenue is not available for roadway, bicycle and pedestrian projects. In August, 2000, the VTA Board passed a resolution committing State Transportation Improvement Program ("STIP") Funds and Federal Discretionary Funds for various roadway, bicycle and pedestrian projects in the Valley Transportation Plan 2020. This resolution, however, is not legally binding on the VTA Board and the funds committed to roadway, bicycle and pedestrian projects by this resolution could be subsequently revoked by future VTA Board action.

This ballot measure, if approved by a majority of the voters, would make legally binding on the VTA Board the use of the designated STIP and Federal Discretionary Funds for roadway, bicycle and pedestrian projects until 2036 when the transit tax would expire. The VTA Board would not be able to sue the STIP and Federal Discretionary Funds for transit projects until 2036 unless the voters subsequently by ballot initiative repealed or amended this ballot measure. This prohibition would not, however, apply to new sources of State or Federal Transportation funding not identified in the Valley Transportation Plan 2020. Approval of this ballot measure will not result in any new or increased taxes.

A "yes" vote is a vote to bind the VTA to use the designated STIP and Federal Discretionary Funds for roadway, bicycle and pedestrian projects until 2036 unless the voters subsequently repeal or amend this ordinance.

A "no" vote is a vote to not bind the VTA to use the designated STIP and Federal Discretionary Funds for roadway, bicycle and pedestrian projects until 2036.

Ann Miller Ravel, County Counsel

By: /s/ David E. Kahn, Deputy County Counsel

Because this material has been retyped from material filed with the Registrar of Voters there could be errors. For the official information please contact the Registrar of Voters.

Pros & Cons of the Ballot Measures

Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m., Saratoga Community Center's Adult Care Center, Allendale Ave., Saratoga
Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of S.W. Santa Clara Valley and AAUW

Pros & Cons of the Ballot Measures

Oct. 29, 7:30 - 9:15 p.m., Los Altos Library
Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Los Altos/Mtn. View Area and the Los Altos Library

Pros & Cons of the Ballot Measures

Oct. 30, 7 - 9 p.m., Mountain View Library
Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Los Altos/Mtn. View Area

listed with the Registrar of Voters

Pamela Silberstein (408)321-7551; Fax: (408) 321-7547

argument in favor (and rebuttal to argument against): Laura Stuchinsky (408)501-7864; Fax: (408)501-7861

argument against (and rebuttal to argument in favor): Patrick Moore (650)207-9792; Fax: (650)969-2966

San Jose Mercury News - Oct. 26

• Measures article

Supporters

• No official supporter website is known

• Sierra Club (Loma Prieta Chapter), BayRail Alliance, Santa Clara VTA Riders Union, Modern Transit Society

Measure B ensures money available for roads coming to our County from state and federal sources is used ONLY for roads. And Measure B won't take money away from transit projects like BART, light rail, and bus lines.

Measure B helps fix our most congested highways like 101, 880, 680, 280, 237, 87, and 85. This allows more time for work, recreation, and families.

Measure B will ease traffic on Santa Clara County expressways including, the Lawrence, Montague, Capitol, San Tomas, and Central Expressways. Less time in our cars means improved air quality.

Measure B repairs dangerous bottlenecks to ensure police, fire, and paramedics respond to accidents or crisis without delay. That's why the San Jose Police Officers' Association and the San Jose Firefighters Association support Measure B.

Measure B dedicates $450 million to fix potholes, $70 million for signal synchronization and traffic flow improvements, and $65 million for bicycle and pedestrian safety projects - all from existing state and federal dollars, not new taxes.

Transportation experts, local, state, and federal officials, and business and labor leaders support Measure B. Safer, less congested roads make sense -- WITHOUT RAISING TAXES.

/s/ Carl Guardino, President and CEO, Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group
/s/ M. Alarcon, Fire Chief, San Jose Fire Department
/s/ Dianne McKenna, Chair California Transportation Commission
/s/ David Fadness, Chair, County Roads Commission
/s/ Marty Peterson, Member, Santa Clara County Senior Care Commission
/s/ Jim Cunneen, President and CEO, San Jose Silicon Valley

Both the BART-to-San Jose extension and the Downtown East Valley light rail line rely on potential federal New Starts funding. This money is uncertain. If New Starts funding does not materialize, Measure B would prevent BART and light rail extensions from being constructed. VOTE NO!

Measure B puts unnecessary restrictions on $2 billion in funds for the next 34 years! Measure B hampers future VTA boards' ability to respond to new conditions over this long period of time. If Measure B had passed two years ago, the Vasona light rail project would be stalled today. VOTE NO!

People are forced to drive to Silicon Valley from as far away as Stockton, Modesto and Salinas. They have no alternative to driving, so they congest our roads and pollute our air!

Future elected officials need to respond to changing conditions. Don't tie their hands for the next <b)34 years. VOTE NO!

See keepchoice.org

/s/ Rafael K. Reyes, Chapter Chair, Sierra Club Loma Prieta
/s/ Akos Szoboszlay, President, Modern Transit Security
/s/ Margaret Okuzumi, Executive Director, Bay Rail Alliance
/s/ Eugene Bradley, Founder, Santa Clara VTA Riders Union
/s/ David D. Simons, Chair, VTA Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory

THE MONEY WOULD COME FROM PUBLIC TRANSIT! This measure won't raise taxes, but the money spent for freeway projects has to come from somewhere! This money comes from short-changing public transit. Previously, these funds went to both transit and highways. This measure's full text says "[these] funds shall not be used for transit projects." This makes ALMOST ALL of these funds available ONLY for FREEWAYS AND HIGHWAYS! VOTE NO!

DON'T BE FOOLED! No project on their list will ease congestion for long. The same interests pushed the sales tax for Freeway 85. Its construction triggered HUGE LAND DEVELOPMENTS. As a result, just two years after opening, the same congestion returned -including on parallel roads. Freeway proponents raised our taxes for TEN years, increased smog, but we got just TWO years of "traffic relief." VOTE NO!

This measure handcuffs the next generation of elected officials until 2036. They cannot react to unexpected transportation problems. Consider that:

• Sales Tax has plummeted 24.3% in one year according to VTA's most recent Revenue and Expenditure Plan.
• Transit has the shakiest funding source, a sales tax, while freeway spending was given the more stable funding.

This Measure is a power grab by the VTA Board and their supporters. Being subject to term limits, this VTA Board wants to dictate policy for future VTA Boards. VOTE NO!

See keepchoice.org

/s/ Rafael K. Reyes, Executive Committee Chair, Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter
/s/ Akos Szoboszlay, President, Modern Transit Society
/s/ Margaret Okuzumi, Executive Director, Bay Rail Alliance
/s/ Eugene Bradley, Founder, VTA Riders Union
/s/ David Simons, Chair, VTA Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee

Santa Clara County Firefighters' Union, Deputy Sheriffs' Association of Santa Clara County, San Jose Firefighters Association, and the San Jose Police Officers' Association support Measure B because it repairs dangerous bottlenecks - allowing them to respond quickly to accidents or crises.

Measure B dedicates $2.1 billion dollars for critical, unfunded safety and repair projects for highways, expressways, streets, and roads - identified by two years of extensive public input involving all 15 Santa Clara County cities and towns. It will not affect funding for BART, light rail, CalTrain, or buses.

Transit projects like BART to Santa Clara County, expanded light rail, bus and CalTrain service, and a connection to the Mineta San Jose International Airport will receive over $6.5 billion during the next 30 years through local and federal sources.

Measure B dedicates $2.1 billion for repairs to congested highways, expressways, and roads - including $450 million to fix potholes, $70 million for signal synchronization and traffic flow improvements, and $65 million for bicycle and pedestrian safety projects.

By funding safer and less congested highways, expressways, and roads - we will all spend less time in cars-meaning more time with our families and improved air quality.

Public safety professionals, transportation experts, local, state, and federal officials, and business and labor leaders support Measure B for safer, less congested roads - WITHOUT REDUCING TRANSIT FUNDING AND WITHOUT RAISING TAXES.

/s/ Jose L. Salcido, President, Deputy Sheriffs' Association of Santa Clara County
/s/ Patricia A. Dando, Member, San Jose City Council/ Member, National League of Cities Homeland Security Task Force
/s/ Manuel Valerio, Caltrain Boardmember/Sunnyvale City Councilmember
/s/ James n. Woody, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman, Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group
/s/ Michael M. Honda, Member United States House of Representatives/Member, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

The people of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority ordain as follows:

Section 1. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority shall allocate those State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and Federal Discretionary Funds specifically identified in VTA Resolution No. 00.08.49 adopted on August 29, 2000 to roadway, bicycle and pedestrian projects and programs set forth in VTP 2020 as adopted on December 14, 2000 or as VTP 2020 may thereafter be amended.

Section 2. The aforementioned funds shall not be used for transit projects.

Section 3. The limitation set forth in Section 1, above, shall not apply to additional Federal Discretionary funds or to additional State funds identified, made available, or created subsequent to August 29, 2000. Such new funds may be used for other transit or transportation purposes at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect 30 days after its adoption by the voters and shall expire on March 31, 2036.