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Issue Archive
CFTE Update
June 12, 2006 - Vol. 4, No. 8
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In this issue …
• Branson Missouri Approves a Sales Tax
• House Subcommittee Continues to Examine the Future
of Infrastructure Finance
• Full Appropriations Committee Passes FY07 Transportation,
Treasury, HUD Bill
• California Voters Turn Down Transportation Measures
Branson Missouri Approves a Sales Tax
THE ONE-CENT SALES TAX WILL FUND TROLLEYS AND OTHER TRANSIT
BRANSON, MO -- On June 6th, residents of a Community Improvement
District established by downtown property owners approved a one-cent
sales tax to fund a transportation system. A majority of the property
owners in the Downtown Historic Main Street District had earlier
voted to establish the CID , hoping to collect funds for trolleys
or other transit modes to bring shoppers from the recently opened
Branson Landing shopping center up a steep hill to the historic
district. The vote will raise the retail sales tax within the district
to 9.6 percent, equivalent to the sales tax rate within the $420
million lakefront Branson Landing project. That tax rate was established
to help defray development costs in the lease between the city of
Branson and HCW Development Co., developers of Branson Landing.
Election
Results and Updates.
House Subcommittee Continues to Examine the Future of Infrastructure
Finance
THE TRANSPORTATION FUND MAY NO LONGER PRODUCE SUFFICIENT REVENUE
In a hearing on June 7th the Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and
Pipelines heard testimony from Federal Transit Agency officials
and Federal Highway Administration officials. The hearing was intended
to info rm the committee on the progress of the Administration's
efforts to implement the recently enacted surface transportation
program reauthorization, however the conversation quickly turned
to the future of transportation and infrastructure funding. J. Richard
Capka, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, stated in
his prepared testimony that "As you know, we anticipate that
traditional funding sources for highway programs, at all levels
of government, may in the future no longer produce sufficient revenues
to keep up with infrastructure needs. SAFETEA-LU established two
commissions to address this issue. Secretary Mineta was designated
Chairman of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue
Study Commission to explore options for the future direction of
our surface transportation system and to review current methods
of, and explore alternatives for, investing in and managing that
system." Administrator Capka also discussed the Open Roads
Financing Pilot Program that was proposed in the Presidents FY 07
budget. Funding for this program would assist up to five States
to make practical tests of new ideas or ideas that have been successful
in other countries for managing and charging for the use of major
portions of their highway system. With rising gas prices and a congested
transportation system, this debate will likely be heating up in
the months to come.
House Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee
Full Appropriations Committee Passes FY07 Transportation,
Treasury, Housing and Urban Development Bill
THE BILL CUTS $3.7 BILLION FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE'S BILL
On June 6th the Full House Appropriations Committee passed the FY07
Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development Bill at
$64.1 billion over the subcommittee's strong objections. Just weeks
earlier the subcommittee had approved $3.7 billion more in spending,
in part to comply with requirements under the transportation reauthorization
bill (SAFETEA-LU) to provide certain higher levels of funding for
transportation programs. A number of current programs did not receive
funding in the House FY07 bill including:
HOPE VI
Section 108 loan guarantees
Brownfields
FTA Small Starts
Housing Counseling Assistance
National Defense Tank Vessel Construction Program
Open Roads Financing Pilot Program
This bill will now have to be reconciled with the Senate appropriations
bill.
House Committee on Appropriations
California Voters Turn Down Transportation Measures
LOW VOTER TURNOUT AND CALIFORNIA'S SUPER MAJORITY REQUIREMENT PLAY
A ROLL IN TUESDAY'S OUTCOME
On June 6th, five of California 's Bay area counties placed transportation
related ballot measures on the ballot. Due to a combination of low
voter turnout and California 's super majority requirement (measures
to raise taxes must be approved by over 66.6% in California ), these
measures were not approved. Following is an overview of each of
the elections. While this is a disappointing result for transportation
supporters, it is important to remember that due to California 's
stringent requirements for passage, these results cannot be compared
to what is happening in other parts of the country.
Merced County : This measure would have [do we have more info ?]
Even in the face of lackluster polling data, last minute opposition
surfaced, focusing on the specter of urban sprawl and loss of agricultural
land. Although a majority of voters supported the idea, the measure
ultimately failed to meet the 2/3rds test. YES: 63.2; NO: 36.8
Monterey County : Voters considered a half cent sales tax that
would have funded 14 different transportation plan projects, including
rail and bus service. Although a majority of voters supported the
idea, the measure ultimately failed as it needed 2/3rds to pass.
YES: 56.6%; NO: 43.4%
Napa County : Voters considered whether to fund transportation
improvements in the county with a half cent sales tax. The tax would
generate $537 million over thirty years. Six percent of the revenue
would be dedicated to transit.. Although it received a majority
of votes, Measure H ultimately failed as it needed 2/3. YES: 52.4%;
NO:47.6%
Santa Clara County: Measure A, which was drawn up as a general
tax to support county social services and to fund the VTA BART project
and other transportation priorities, required a simple majority
vote. YES: 42.38%; NO:57.62%
Solano County : Voters considered a 30-year, half-cent sales tax
increase. Nineteen percent of the total funding would have supported
commuter and senior transit. The measure would have raised an estimated
$1.57 billion. This measure needed 2/3 to pass and did not get a
majority. YES: 45.5; NO:54.5
Election Results and Updates
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Center For Transportation Excellence
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Washington, DC 20009
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