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Proponents Say Prop A For Metro Transit A Must Need For N. County
By Jay-Dee Bush
Either way the vote goes, the proposed half-cent sales tax for St. Louis County’s metro transit system could mean some dramatic changes. The fate of MetroLink, Metrobus, and Metro Call-A-Ride is in the hands of the voters. Proposition A will be on the ballot for a second time in almost two years on Tuesday, April 6.
The proposition has the support of many area leaders including Florissant Mayor Robert Lowery, Black Jack Mayor Norman McCourt, County Councilman Mike O’Mara, the Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce, North County Inc., The League of Woman Voters and both BJC Health systems and SSM Health Care.
The first time the proposition was defeated by voters, in November of 2008, the results were a one-third cut to the public transit service which impacted many riders. However, the federal government along with the state of Missouri came to the transit’s aid by providing emergency funding which restored some of the services.
The funding was a temporary solution because it runs out in May 2010. If that is the case Metro will not have a choice but to make significant cuts in transit once again, proponents contend. By voting “yes” voters could possibly be stimulating economic growth in the St. Louis City and County areas. Statistics show that prior to the March 2009 service reductions, A total of 97% of all jobs in St. Louis City and County could be reached by riding Metro transit.
Further statistics show, that in St. Louis County there has been an estimated $15 billion in new developments that has occurred near MetroLink stations. There are numerous other benefits that are suggested as a result of voting in favor of Proposition A. Those benefits could include environmental relief, increased mobility, bettering St. Louis County’s regional appeal and a others.
“We are endorsing Prop A, because a strong transit system is critical to the vitality, sustainability and economic growth of our entire region. If we are indeed going to move transit forward, it’s time for all of us to get on board and support it,” said Rebecca Zoll, president and CEO of North County, Inc.
Mayor McCourt: When we consider the cost to the community of keeping METRO viable remember what the cost will be to us if we say NO and the service is reduced or discontinued. There was a saying on a sign at a local cemetery several years ago that stated ” Better to have and not need, than to need and not have”. In our current situation it is vital to our community to have the METRO service available for those individuals that need it. Please consider what we will loose as a community and region if we say NO and the service is discontinued. the benefits of an improved Metrolink service for riders.
Opposition to Prop A
However, everyone is not on board for Proposition A. Tom Sullivan, who led the opposition to defeat the first proposal in 2008, heads Public Transit Accountability Project, arguing again that the Metro’s top priority should be meeting the needs of those dependent on public transit. Sullivan’s argument is that Metro refuses to be accountable to the public and “squanders hundreds of millions of tax dollars. ” He said, in a recent editorial, that “without a sunset provision, Metro would get the ultimate blank check.”
John Loudon, former state legislator from west St. Louis County, has been extremely animate in his disapproval of the proposed sales tax. He contends that people who reside outside I-270 would not benefit from the half-cent sales tax because MetroLink is restricted to those confines. Loudon believes, as a result the tax would place an undue responsibility on those who seldom use MetroLink due to the location.
The proposed half-cent sales tax would cost the average family in St. Louis County about $50 a year or $4 per month, according to the web site: cmt-stl.org which is supporting the tax. Many who support Proposition A believe this is a small price to pay especially in light of what is at stake.
If on April 6, voters reject the proposition for a second time Metro could be forced to make 50 percent cuts in its public transportation service, according to Metro officials. This would affect thousands of its riders, employees, and those who are dependent upon transit.
