Transportation Tax, Good Or Bad?
by Bob Steiner
Since becoming governor, Bill Richardson has done a lot for this state. The various construction activities he has championed under G.R.I.P. (Governor Richardson’s Improvement Program) are, for the most part, commendable and noteworthy projects. Now as we approach the November 4th election,we are called upon to vote for a tax which provides little or no tangible benefits to citizens of South Santa Fe County. For the reasons listed below, in this particular case, I ask you to vote no on this transportation tax.
At a recent meeting in Edgewood, Mr Guillen from the Regional Transportation District out of Santa Fe, stated that the proposed transportation tax would provide some funding for bus commuters who travel daily from the Edgewood-Moriarty-Stanley area to Santa Fe ( a recent physical count at the bus stops in question revealed there were a total of 13 area residents taking advantage of this service). This limited ridership doesn’t justify the spending of any tax money. According to Mr. Guillen, while other benefits for our area might be forthcoming, half of the funds brought in are destined to go to support the ailing Railrunner, a Richardson G.R.I.P. endeavor. IÂ just seem to find it difficult to understand how I, or any East Mountain resident, living some thirty miles East of the rail line, would receive any benefit from this additional assessment.
Since the tax proposal was first annnounced some weeks ago, I have been discussing the ramifications of this plan with other citizens, who seemed to not really understand or appreciate the impact of such a tax. I had really begun to be disheartened regarding this tax when Santa Fe County Commmisioner Jack Sullivan announced that he was against this matter. Then on Wednesday morning on AM770 at 7:00 A.M.there was an hour-long discussion on this tax, which is also on the ballot in three other counties. All of the call-in participants spoke out in opposition to the plan! This has given me hope and for the reasons stated, as well as the fact that we have no representation within the Transportation District, causes me to appeal to you and all Santa Fe County voters to vote no on this measure. Let’s Slip The GRIP!
5 Responses “Transportation Tax, Good Or Bad?”
Mr. Steiner,
This tax looks just like an unprovoked attack on our pocketbooks. An attack predicated by poor planning and bad politics of the “feel good” genre.
At least you, John and I aren’t the Don Quixote triplets. Here’s someone else with a lance:
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Opinion/MY-VIEW-Vote-against-latest-tax-hike
A Vote FOR the Transportation Tax is the RIGHT Thing to do!
I wouldn’t want to have to argue this with you guys face to face, cuz your skills at debate are just too formidable.
And too, I have always regarded Mr. Ring’s sense of integrity, community and direction as “top notch”, and I hate to be at odds with him on any issue.
But I do feel public transportation is a subject worthy of debate and further investigation.
I think that public transportation, like public health and public education, is a direct measure of how society cares for it’s own, and in turn, the overall health of that society.
There are far worse things that an 1/8 of a penny could be spent on, and bear in mind, a benefit to the only “13 area residents taking advantage” of transportation to and from Santa Fe now is just the starting point.
We have sorely needed effective public transportation for so long throughout this state, and were it not for past shortsightedness, we would still have rail service to Santa Fe today that would have been close to celebrating it’s 100th anniversary.
As much criticism as Governor Richardson takes for the Railrunner now, I believe in twenty or thirty years, people will have recognized and credited him for his vision and determination to do the right thing.
We should have regular daily scheduled bus service to Albuquerque that interconnects with all the other Albuquerque routes now. We’ve been talking about it for 35 years, what’s the holdup?
And we should have designed the bus stops for those buses into our newly constructed city streets in anticipation of regular service. The added cost would have been little more than the extra ink it would have taken to draw it on paper.
Even the meager transportation afforded now by Torrance County Transport and the Park and Ride Shuttle have to use other people’s parking lots as bus stops.
What the hell kind of vision is that?
As long as we fail to provide adequate education, health and transportation services to the area as a whole, we will guarantee that certain segments of our community will remain trapped in ignorance and poverty.
For all the “tax conscious” conservatives, I ask you, dime for dime, what’s the best value:
Enabling people to raise their own standard of living by providing them with adequate services, or paying far more extra taxes for law enforcement, incarceration costs and all the other various social and rehabilitation programs?
Again, I respect your point of view, but I WILL be voting for the Transportation Tax, because I believe if it benefits anybody at all, in the end run, it benefits us ALL.
Mr. Euckert,
You make a few leaps of faith that I don’t think one can safely make.
You seem to believe that 1/8 will stop at 1/8, while history points to a higher figure when all is said and done. Remember, the Rail Runner was not sold in the way it has rolled out (pun intended).
You can look at Edgewood’s history with Santa Fe County and see that 1/4 engendered another 1/4 and now it will likely birth another 1/8. And, I’m sure it won’t stop there.
If I could honestly believe that folks in the Edgewood community would see real benefit from this tax beyond just being able to say,’ We did the right thing,” I would pull my lever and your lever for yes votes.
I think you can agree that we incorporated because we were trying to get out from under the administrative foot of Santa Fe County , but now it looks as though, with the previous taxes foisted on us, along with the one which is eminent, we are more under their control than ever AND now we can enjoy control by Santa Fe City as well.
If this is such a viable system, why hasn’t a private entity took up the cry and decided to say, “All aboard!” You and I know that it is not viable and we’ll continue to throw more and more money toward a system doomed to failure. There is not enough state and local tax money to prop it up for the long haul. We do not have the population base and tax base that transit systems in California, Oregon and some other locales have. Even other systems keep opening their bags for more money from the federal government and we will too as we start to grind to a halt.
After all is said and done, I don’t believe you have to worry that the tax won’t be passed … either people believe as you do, or not enought care enough either way, and a few “yeas” will determine the outcome. Yes, until the next referendum.
I do like passion though.
I sincerely respect Mr. Ueckert’s support for transportattion for the masses. I, too, am an advocate of a workable, affordable system that would service our area. I would point out that my orginal article begins by lauding the accomplishments of the G.R.I.P.
program. It is just this particular tax and the insidious manner in which it is being marketed, that I abhor. Challenge to Mr. Ueckert:: Please give me a call when they hold the opening ceremony for laying the first Rail Runner track for the ABQ to Edgewood line. I will be there celebrating with you!
I must apologize to my friend Jerry “Ueckert.” I know how to spell his name, but for some reason I munged it as “Euckert.”
Sorry, Jerry. It was not intentional.