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Los Angeles County, CA March 3, 2009 Election
Smart Voter

In Support of Mass Transit

By Robyn Ritter Simon

Candidate for Council Member; City of Los Angeles; District 5

This information is provided by the candidate
We must reduce traffic congestion on the Westside and in the Valley. Expanding mass transit (with the Expo Line and Orange Line extension) is one way to get started! I am for immediate remedies and common sense traffic solutions, such as more left turn lanes and synchronized lights.
The MTA board voted on June 26, 2008 to draft an ordinance to go to the ballot in November and ask Los Angeles County residents to raise the sales tax by a half-cent to fund more than $30 billion in road and mass transit projects. In November the voters responded Yes. The increase of the sales tax is from 8.25% to 8.75%, making Los Angeles County one of the highest sales tax regions in the State. A report releasedfrom the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) said that such an increase would cost people about $25 a year more (or 50 cents more in taxes for every $100 spent on goods and services). The people want mass transit, but they must be assured that this increase is spent directly on specific transportation improvements. The much needed and well conceived Expo Line is one project that should be funded by the tax increase. I am a strong supporter of the Expo Line. The Expo would be a "fast, comfortable, safe, quiet, exhaust-free, high-capacity light rail transit line (with landscaping and bike path) from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica." The Expo Line would serve Westside and downtown workers, as well as recreational, educational, and cultural activities/ opportunities from Santa Monica Beach to Exposition Park, Staples Center, and downtown. The Expo planning stage is not perfected, but it can get there. To learn more about the Expo line, visit Expo Information - http://www.buildexpo.org

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