The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) wants you to give up your right to vote on VTA plans. Why? They say it’s expensive, that up until now you’ve always approved their plans, so it’s not a useful investment. We disagree.

Citizen oversight of government is crucial. The cost of an election every six years is a small price to pay; saving election costs certainly won’t solve VTA’s financial problems. Those costs affect every public agency. Imagine: doing away with elections to save money?

These advisory votes are one of the only methods you have to hold the VTA board directly accountable since the VTA board is appointed, not directly elected.

Instead of voter oversight at the ballot box, VTA suggests review by the “2000 Measure A Watchdog Committee”. That committee is composed entirely of Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) members appointed by VTA. The CAC is already supposed to review and comment on VTA’s plans.

Three independent groups—the Santa Clara Civil Grand Jury, the HayGroup Assessment commissioned by VTA, and July 2008 State audit—all found that VTA often treats its advisory committees like rubber stamps.

The Hay Group found that “Committees do not have an opportunity to consider policies and plans in the early stages of their development.”

The state Auditor agreed, and noted, “The former chair of the citizens advisory committee explained to us that it is all too typical of VTA and the board to approach the advisory committees when it is effectively too late for the committees to influence outcomes.”

For example, VTA didn’t inform the Watchdog Committee of its plans to place this measure on the ballot.

When voters approved previous tax measures, the agreement was that they’d have the ability to vote on the implementation plans.

Keep this right. Vote No on D.

Ellen Fletcher
Member, 2000 Measure A Citizens Watchdog Committee
Former Palo Alto City Councilmember
Former Member, County of Santa Clara Transportation Committee

Don Burnett
Former Member, 2000 Measure A Citizens Watchdog Committee
Former Mayor, City of Cupertino

Margaret Okuzumi
Member, 2000 Measure A Citizens Watchdog Committee

David Fadness
Former Member, 1996 Measure B Citizens Watchdog Committee

Patrick Moore
Former Member, 1996 Measure B Citizens Watchdog Committee