The four sentences that they challenged in our rebuttal argument, are clickable links below. The links go to other posts which explain the documents that prove that our statements were true.

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE B

Rosy forecasts, exaggerated claims. We’ve seen this before, and Santa Clara County’s Civil Grand Jury agreed-VTA was overpromising to win your vote.

After 21 years, VTA’s light rail system still hasn’t met its original ridership and revenue projections. It’s the worst-performing light rail in the country. Forecasting inaccuracies cost mega-bucks. They’re doing it again.

Proponents aren’t being truthful. In 2000, they said the $6-billion tax would be enough. More taxes are coming: Approved VTA documents confirm a ¼ percent increase is required.

Proponents’ arguments aren’t credible:

• Save oil? Curb climate change? Electrifying Caltrain would save 1.7 times as much fuel, for a fraction of the cost. VTA has delayed this project. Measure B further threatens it.
• Relieve gas prices? Measure B increases prices of gas and almost everything else we buy.
• Add jobs? VTA can add more jobs today by keeping its promises without Measure B-by delivering on projects with the $6 billion voters approved in 2000. Measure B jeopardizes those projects. Higher taxes hurt small businesses, making it harder to create new jobs.

• Protects taxpayers? By increasing taxes? VTA would give our Measure B money to another agency, on which Santa Clara County has no voting members. That’s taxation without representation.

VTA’s 2008 budget is nearly ¾ of a billion dollars. Where does the money go? Why isn’t VTA delivering new service now?

NO more empty promises, NO more exaggerated claims. Tell VTA to deliver on past promises first…

Vote NO on Measure B! www.NoVTAtax.com

David Casas, VTA Board Member; Member and Former Mayor, Los Altos City Council
Sherman Lewis, Former BART Board Member
Roy Nakadegawa, P.E.; Former BART Board Member; Former Member, AC Transit Board
David Schonbrunn, President, Transportation Solutions Defense and Education Fund (TRANSDEF)
Doug McNea, Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association