Proposition 1, the last item on many of our ballots this November, will ask Snohomish County voters to increase the Retail Sales and Use Tax by .3 percent to benefit Community Transit.
According to the state Department of Transportation, Community Transit is one of the most expensive transit agencies in the state for it’s size.
Proposition 1:
-Would increase the subsidies already received by 33 percent (taxpayers now subsidize Community Transit’s revenues by 70 percent)
-Will make some Snohomish County cities (Bothell/Snohomish County, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace and Mukilteo) have the highest Retail Sales and Use Tax in the State of Washington, making them less competitive
-Will make some Snohomish County cities have higher Retail Sales and Use Taxes than Seattle at .096
-Will make clothing, entertainment and automobiles more expensive in Snohomish County
-Is a tax increase for Community Transit, not Sound Transit (they will be asking for tax increases next year)
-Would be hard to get rid of, as there is no “Sunset Clause” to Proposition 1
Community Transit’s trip costs ($9.10) are nearly double that of King, Pierce and Spokane Transit.
Community Transit’s Operating Expenses per Passenger Mile (OEPM) are skyrocketing while other transit agency’s OEPM are leveling off.
What many people say:
“Most of the buses are empty or only have 3 or 4 people on them.”
“It is condescending to tell me I have to spend an additional 3 cents for every $10 for Community Transit.”
“This is not about one person spending $10.03, it is about Community Transit asking for $25M year after year after year.”
Voters should ask Community Transit to manage their budget before asking working families to forfeit part of their budget.
Citizens for Efficient Transit Spending (C.F.E.T.S)
PO Box 1094, Lynnwood, WA 98046
To learn more, visit VoteNoOnProp1.com.
– By Jeff Scherrer
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