Less than a week away and people will be going to the ballot for an historical election – it’s the highest number of states with ballot measures to fund transportation infrastructure. With communities in 25 different states voting, it’s half the country in both large and small cities and communities.
After the November election, in all of 2016 there will have been 77 ballot measures, the single largest amount of measures in a 12-month period. During a recent press conference, the Center for Transportation Excellence Director Jason Jordan said the estimated transit investment is nearly $200 billion.
The year-to-date passage rate for this year’s ballot measures is 75 percent; there have been 21 wins and seven losses. Jordan broke down the types of measures, with the bulk of them being local sales tax and property taxes, with them being at 39 percent and 34 percent respectively.
On election day, there will be 49 ballot measures. A list of past and current measures can be found at http://www.cfte.org/elections.
Record of Success
Looking at all of the ballot measures since 2000, Jordan pointed out that there’s been a 71 percent approval rate. He pointed out, “The success rate didn’t decline with the recession or challenging politics around budgets and taxation … it has strengthened over time.” He added, “With the dramatic polarization around tax spending issues, to have 71 percent approval is striking.”
Speaking from experience on a passed ballot measure was city of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. In 2015, Proposition 104 went to the voters as a 35-year $32 billion infrastructure investment plan for transportation that passed by 56 percent.
Stanton said elected officials need to ask the voters, how do they want to advance their city? “Have that honest conversation,” he said. “The money’s not going to flow from Washington like it used to; there’s a significant sea change from how cities used to interact with Washington. In Phoenix, we embrace the fact we need to be more independent; we appeal to that ethic to our voters.”
With the initial ballot measure passed in 2000, the mayor said there was skepticism in the first vote. Is it too expensive? Is it worth it? Will it be successful? With Proposition 104, he said those critics weren’t there.
Proposition 104, Stanton said they are already making plans to bring light rail to South Phoenix.
Looking to the Future
American Public Transportation Association Acting President and CEO Richard White noted the importance of the partnership between local, state and federal government when it comes to funding public transportation. “There’s a long history of the federal role back to the 1960s,” he said. “It needs to continue and there must be a strong role.”
However, he and Stanton recognize cities need to be more self-reliant. But to vote “yes,” voters need to have a high degree of confidence in the delivery of these programs.
“People don’t mind spending tax payer money on occasion as long as they know the money isn’t going to be wasted,” Stanton said. “If they’re just against taxes at all, that’s not a winning argument. These measures have been proven to be good, solid, long-term investments.”
