NO on Measure D
Measure D is the third VTA measure on the ballot in this election. A “yes” vote on Measure D takes away the public’s right to vote on VTA’s plans. Voters may not realize this because Measure D was worded to hide that it would remove this long-standing requirement.
The requirement for a public vote on VTA’s plans was enacted in 1976 when voters approved a half-cent sales tax for the county transit district. The idea was that since this tax would be collected indefinitely and would never expire, that voters needed some mechanism by which to give the VTA periodic feedback on whether they agreed or disagreed with how this public agency was spending the money. In 1976, the county transit district was required to place a measure on the ballot every 5 years. In 1990, the law was amended to require an advisory vote every 6 years.
Measure D takes away what little oversight we have, with the pretense that it will give a new power to the 2000 Measure A Citizens Watchdog Committee. The members of that Committee are chosen by the VTA Board itself. VTA did not even have the courtesy to tell this Committee they were putting Measure D on the ballot, which is one reason why a number of current and former members of the Watchdog Committee are opposed to Measure D and even signed the ballot arguments against the measure.
Numerous audits and reviews on VTA find:
- The agency has significant problems with its governance
- Board members weren’t fully aware of their responsibilities
- The board has ignored input from their advisory committees
- That VTA has either failed to develop a strategic/financial plan or else developed an unworkable one
VTA needs more sunshine, not less. Measure D is a big step backwards. VTA doesn’t need permission from voters to seek comments from the Watchdog Committee. Even if the Watchdog Committee disagreed with VTA’s plans, VTA would just ignore them.
VTA’s plan defines how they will spend our money. Don’t give up your right to vote on it.
Vote NO on Measure D.