2006 Transit Ballot Measures

CFTE Update
Special Election Preview Edition 
 
 
$55 Billion for Transportation at Stake on November 7
2006 Continues the Trend of Investment at the Ballot Box
33 Transportation Measures in 13 States on Tuesday's Ballots
 
On Tuesday, voters will decide the fate of at least $55 billion in new transportation-related investments.  More funding for transportation will be at stake on November 7 than in any single election day since CFTE began tracking ballot measures. In 13 states, voters will decide the fate of 33 transportation related ballot measures. That total includes 7 statewide initiatives.  Tuesday's round of elections come as voters nationwide continue the trend of deciding on new public transportation investment at the ballot box.   
 
Once again states and communities across the nation are asking voters to approve new investments in vital transportation projects. The recent track record for these measures suggests that people are very willing to invest their tax dollars to improve transportation when the benefits are clear. People want change and choices in transportation and the ballot box results prove it.
 
In California alone, ten counties will consider sales tax measures to fund transportation investment. In addition, three statewide measures related to transportation will appear on ballots in the state, including a record-setting $20 billion in bonds for transportation projects.  In all, more than $39 billion in potential transportation funding will be on ballots across the Golden State.
Other significant races include a one-cent sales tax in Broward County, Florida. Sales tax measures in Salt Lake and Utah Counties (UT) to more quickly complete the popular new light rail service in the region.  In Minnesota, voters will consider a constitutional amendment that would ensure vehicle-related taxes and fees would be spent on improving transportation. New Jersey voters will weigh in on whether to increase the amount of state gas taxes dedicated to the state's Transportation Trust Fund. Property tax measures are on tap in two Michigan communities, and Seattle (WA) will vote on more than $500 million for a multi-modal repair and improvement package.
 
A complete list of pending ballot measures is available online 
 
Earlier this year, CFTE released a report examining transportation-related ballot measures over a five year period from 2000 to 2005. The report, "Transportation Finance at the Ballot Box: Voters Support Increased Investment," outlined the striking rise in the use of voter-approved ballot measures to generate funding for transportation choices. According to the report, voters in 33 different states have approved 70 percent of all proposed transportation measures generating funding conservatively estimated in the excess of $70 billion. Transportation measures have passed at twice the rate of all ballot measures.
 
More than 80 percent of all transportation ballot measures between 2000 and 2005 have specifically authorized financing and 2006 continues this trend with record levels of funding on the ballot. 87 percent of the transportation measures on 2006 ballots will ask voters to authorize funding for transportation. 
 
"Few issues have consistently won the confidence and support of voters - regardless of region, community size, or party - as measures supporting public transportation, said CFTE Advisory Board Member Art Guzzetti "A look at the track record clearly demonstrates the willingness of voters across the nation to support expanded choice and investment with their tax dollars."
 
CFTE will provide complete coverage of election results for transportation measures at www.cfte.org

 

Center for Transportation Excellence
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