VOTE NO: On Measure 32 so we can have money for statewide equal educational use. Why do we need to vote almost $ 2 Billion Dollars for Lite Rail, when our children's education is a higher priority?
VOTE NO FOR YOUR KIDS AND GRANDCHILDREN SAKE
VOTE NO: Measure 32 creates a dangerous taxing system whereby Portland Region Light Rail taxpayers taxes are to be given to the other 33 Counties in the amount of $150 MILLION.
IS THIS GOOD EDUCATIONAL FINANCING?
VOTE NO: ASK YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR WHY THEY VOTED FOR RAILROADS INSTEAD OF EDUCATIONAL FUNDING.
VOTE NO: REMEMBER, THIS IS A BOND MEASURE OF $490 MILLION, WE BELIEVE THE TOTAL COST IS SHORT OF FUNDING.
536 Million including State Lottery Funds with interest
240 Million from State Lottery Funds
110 Million from State of Oregon General Funds, OR MORE.
150 Million from Portland Metro Area Taxpayers to be given away to induce Eastern & Southern Oregon to vote for the light-railroad. As a Citizen you cannot offer money to vote. Total of above $1.036 Billion. Tri Met says it will cost $1.5 Billion. WHO PAYS THE SHORTAGE OF $464 MILLION?
VOTE NO: Send a message to your State Legislators to put this much effort into educational funding, not railroad tracks. Children are more worthy of these funds than a cold steel railroad track.
VOTE NO: We believe State Legislators have authorized the State Treasurer to issue more bonds, without your vote, if $1.5 Billion is not enough for THE PORTLAND REGION LIGHT RAIL RAILROAD.
(This information furnished by Clyde V. Brummell, President, Oregon Homeowner's Association, Inc.)
(This space purchased for $500 in accordance with 1993 Or. Laws 811 §11.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.
State Bureaucrats, Building Contractors, Bankers and Consultants---the people profiting from the proposed North/South Light Rail projects---are pushing for a proposal that will waste our tax dollars.
Experts on Public transportation from Harvard, USC, Portland State, and other colleges, testified to our Legislature and told them the North/South Light Rail project is a "waste of taxpayer dollars".
The legislature did not listen to the experts and so concerned taxpayers gathered enough signatures to refer this $3 billion, pork barrel project to you, the voter.
Let us review the facts, as presented by the experts, why the North/South Light Rail Project is a waste of our tax dollars:
DON'T WASTE TAXPAYER DOLLARS. DON'T VOTE FOR PORK BARREL PROJECTS. DON'T LISTEN TO GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRATS AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS.
VOTE NO, NO ON THE NEW LIGHT RAIL LINE
Paid for by Oregonians for Schools and Efficient Transportation.
(This information furnished by Bob Tiernan, Oregonians for Schools and Efficient Transportation.)
(This space purchased for $500 in accordance with 1993 Or. Laws 811 §11.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.
The newly proposed Portland "North/South" light rail line, the largest public works project in the history of the state, is going to cost taxpayers billions of dollars to build and hundreds of millions in operating subsidies to maintain.
Oregonians can't afford to waste money on a project that:
If light rail was "free," it would be a good idea. Unfortunately, it is not.
Oregonians need to spend lottery dollars on education---giving our children and young adults a better education. Our State colleges need to offer Oregonians the best higher education possible. We need to provide every Oregon High school graduate, who wants to attend college, a tuition assistance program.
Light rail will suck-up huge amounts of taxpayer dollars to build and maintain - taking money from our schools and our children.
Light rail will not relieve Portland area congestion. However, a better bus system, car pool lanes, repairing interchanges, bypasses, etc., for fractions of the cost, can relieve Portland area congestion.
Our taxpayer money must be spent on a true investment in the future - better schools, smarter kids.
VOTE NO ON LIGHT RAIL. WE CAN'T AFFORD
TO WASTE MONEY.
"PAID FOR BY OREGONIANS FOR SCHOOLS
AND EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION"
(This information furnished by Bob Tiernan, Oregonians for Schools and Efficient Transportation.)
(This space purchased for $500 in accordance with 1993 Or. Laws 811 §11.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.
Vote NO on 32
STOP Light-Rail BOONDOGGLES
Building the proposed $3 BILLION South-North line would be another terrible waste of federal, state and local taxpayers' money. Like the existing Eastside line, the proposed MAX line would do very little to reduce traffic congestion or air pollution in the Portland metropolitan area. Furthermore, each passenger it added to Portland's transit ridership would require taxpayer subsidies of over $60 per round trip, three times more than the Eastside line.
While roads are being neglected, state parks and fish hatcheries are being closed, and new schools and prisons are being postponed for a lack of funds, it would be irresponsible to build a new MAX line that would cost taxpayers more than $25,000 per year in subsidies for each additional car that Portland's prodigal transit system would actually take off area roads.
While teachers, police officers and other workers are being terminated for a lack of funds, it would be wrong to spend $3,000,000,000.00 building another MAX line when more buses or a fleet of computer-dispatched minibuses, taxis and jitneys could carry many more passengers at a much lower cost to taxpayers. This privately-owned transit fleet could also provide guaranteed seating and door-to-door service, even in the low-density suburban and rural areas where most Oregonians now live and work.
Don't be fooled! Companies, politicians and others that would benefit financially if the South-North line is built, will spend a million dollars to fund a slick political campaign - including newspaper, radio and TV infomercials - to get your vote and your $3 BILLION. Just remember, these special interests are afraid to debate with anyone who can debunk their claims or tell you how much of a ridership flop and a financial fiasco light rail has really been in Portland.
For more information, write CATS, 12160 Burnett, Beaverton OR 97008, or contact http://www.com/oti
Vote NO on 32
STOP Light-Rail BOONDOGGLES
(This information furnished by Robert W. Behnke, Citizens Against Transit Scams (CATS).)
(This space purchased for $500 in accordance with 1993 Or. Laws 811 §11.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.
MEASURE 32 WASTES YOUR TAX DOLLARS
A 1982 Tri-Met study estimated that streetcars to Milwaukie would cost under $50 million. That sounded reasonable. Now the cost is nearly $1,500 million, thirty times as much.
What do we get for this? A gold-plated, pork-laden streetcar line that hardly anyone will use. Even if we spend billions on fifty more mile of streetcar lines, Metro predicts transit will carry less than 5 percent of all Portland-area trips.
Streetcars were invented a century ago for cities that had no cars and little pavement. Calling streetcars "light rail" doesn't make them any better. Nineteenth-century technology can't solve the problems of a twenty-first century Portland.
Though the ballot refers to "South North light rail," this funds only the south portion. They will need more of your money for the north part. Fast, frequent bus service can reduce congestion at a far lower cost.
TRANSIT SUPPORTERS OPPOSE LIGHT RAIL PROJECT
The Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates (AORTA) opposes the South-North light-rail project because the "costs [are] too high" and "ridership too low." "The new line would have slow operating speeds," says AORTA, " and would not be able to accommodate aggressive or long-term ridership growth."*
NEIGHBORHOODS OPPOSE MEASURE 32
Light rail "is not worth the cost if you're just looking at transit," says Metro planner John Fregonese. "It's a way to develop your community to higher densities."Ý After spending your tax dollars on streetcars, Metro will spend more of your taxes subsidizing high-density developments near streetcar lines.
But higher densities make congestion worse. We don't want to live in New York-urban-area densities: That's why we live here!
Randal O'Toole, John Adams, and other Oak Grove neighbors urge you to vote NO! on Measure 32.
http://www.teleport.com/~rot/og/neighbors.html
*AORTA Bulletin, March 1996.
ÝWisconsin State Journal 7-23-95.
(This information furnished by Randal O'Toole, Oak Grove Neighbors for Better Transit.)
(This space purchased for $500 in accordance with 1993 Or. Laws 811 §11.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.
MILWAUKIANS OPPOSE MILWAUKIE LIGHT RAIL
People in the Milwaukie area are asking you, our fellow Portland and Oregon voters, to help us prevent Metro (Portland's regional government) from implementing its current light-rail proposal.
Many of us originally supported the concept, but didn't know the details. We do now and we don't like it.
BRING NEW YORK TO PORTLAND?
According to Metro, the heart of this proposal is to push the Portland area's population density to higher than that of the New York-area today in the hope of boosting light rail ridership. But Metro admits that nine out of ten people will still drive and that the number of congested road miles will increase from 160 to 620!
LIGHT-RAIL IS TOO EXPENSIVE
The proposed four-mile light-rail segment from Milwaukie to Clackamas Town Center is expected to cost $455 million. Yet Metro predicts it will carry only 600 riders per day. That's an average tax subsidy of hundreds of dollars per ride. This route is already well served by buses!
BUSES ARE BETTER AND COST LESS
For less than the cost of one mile of light rail, we can provide the entire region with faster, more convenient, and more frequent bus service. But, if the light rail is built, we won't be able to improve bus service because, says Metro, the cost of light rail "limits future bus expansion."*
SAVE OUR LIVABILITY
Metro's research says this plan will make our region more congested. In fact, Metro regards congestion as a sign of "positive urban development."Ý We don't!
Metro boasts that the South-North light rail is the biggest public works project in Oregon history. We can't argue with that. We also believe it's the most wasteful.
TO IMPROVE TRANSIT, REDUCE CONGESTION, AND PROMOTE A LIVABLE PORTLAND, VOTE NO! ON MEASURE 32.
*Regional Transportation Plan, July, 1995, page 7-8.
ÝRegional Transportation Plan Update, March, 1996, page1-20.
(This information furnished by Jeannette Baker, Milwaukians for Reasonable Transit Choices.)
(This space purchased for $500 in accordance with 1993 Or. Laws 811 §11.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.
BETTER SOLUTIONS TO CONGESTION COST MUCH LESS THAN MEASURE 32
One solution is high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, which carry five times as many people, moving twice as fast, as regular freeway lanes.
Before Portland built MAX light rail, the HOV lane on the Banfield freeway was "a success," says the Oregon Department of Transportation, that "improved peak hour operating conditions on the freeway, conserved fuel, reduced travel costs to the public, and increased freeway capacity."
HOV lanes relieved congestion far better than MAX. During the seven years the HOV lanes were on the Banfield, freeway traffic increased by less than 2 percent. In the nine years after MAX was built and the HOV lanes remove, freeway traffic increased 57 percent, five times the area's population growth.
Actual experiences in Portland, Virginia, and elsewhere show that HOV lanes cost less and attract more riders than light rail. The proposed South-North line will cost 30 TIMES as much per passenger-mile as HOV lanes. Bus ridership increased 355 PERCENT when Virginia's federally funded HOV lanes were opened because travel time was halved.
Another solution is better bus service. For less than the cost of one mile of light-rail, Tri-Met can DOUBLE ITS BUSES, ADD NEW ROUTES, and provide EXPRESS BUSES on existing routes. If this light rail is built, Tri-Met won't have funds for such improvements.
Another solution is to use existing tracks for commuter rail rather than construct new ones. Peak-hour service could operate in a year at far lower cost than building new tracks.
Light-rail supporters plan to spend more than a million dollars on this election. But their glitzy ads will offer NO PROOF that light rail can reduce congestion or attract as many transit riders as the alternatives, BECAUSE THERE IS NONE.
Save your dollars and help reduce congestion. Vote NO! on measure 32.
For details, see http://www.hevanet.com/ oti
(This information furnished by Melvin Y. Zucker, Oregon Transportation Institute.)
(This space purchased for $500 in accordance with 1993 Or. Laws 811 §11.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.
A "NO" vote on Measure 32 is not necessarily a vote against better transit.
AORTA, a volunteer citizens' organization, has worked for better public transportation for decades. Many of our officers helped bring light rail to Portland. We continue to support expanding bus and rail service throughout Oregon.
AORTA supports improved transit and light rail In the South-North corridor and elsewhere.
However, AORTA no longer supports the current South-North project because its costs and negative Impacts clearly exceed its benefits, and because discussion has been closed on major design problems.
AORTA's Portland Chapter recommends that voters reject Measure 32 because:
COSTS TOO HIGH
South-North ($66,000,000 per mile, excluding river crossings) is significantly out of line with the costs of other effective light rail projects in North America.
RIDERSHIP TOO LOW
Metro's 20-year ridership projection of the South segment, even assuming dense redevelopment, forecasts less ridership than current eastside MAX. Ridership in the South segment is so low that Tri-Met cut midday transit service there this fall.
DOWNTOWN ALIGNMENT UNACCEPTABLE
Light rail on the Mall will degrade bus service, diminish the Mall's carrying capacity and actually decrease Tri-Met's ability to quickly move increasing numbers of people to and through the downtown.
BETTER TRANSIT OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Combining bus improvements and diesel-powered commuter rail on existing tacks in the corridor could provide faster commuter service from Milwaukie, Clackamas Town Center, Oregon City and Canby, and greater transit travel options. These could be implemented in less time and at much lower cost than the proposed project. Related track improvements would directly benefit the Willamette Valley High Speed Rail corridor.
While light rail can be highly effective, this South-North proposal is not a wise investment. Its costs would imperil our ability to make public transportation a more viable option throughout the metropolitan region and Oregon.
AORTA's Portland Chapter encourages Oregonians to:
(This information furnished by David Zagel, Chapter President, Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates (AORTA), Portland Chapter.)
(This space purchased for $500 in accordance with 1993 Or. Laws 811 §11.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.
LIGHT RAIL IS A BOONDOGGLE
Light rail is the biggest, most wasteful pork barrel project in Oregon history.
Light rail funding is driven, not by the ability of light rail to reduce traffic congestion or air pollution, because it does neither. It is driven by greed, backroom political deals and vote trading. The campaign to pass this measure is being funded largely by contractors with a financial stake in the project ,and investors with properties located along the line.
This project is being marketed as funding for "statewide transportation projects." But take a look at the numbers. Light rail project costs $150 million per mile to build. Therefore, more than three-fourths of the transportation money will go to Portland for light rail, and the 23 percent that is left will be distributed sparsely throughout the rest of the state.
In other words, Portland gets a huge piece of the pie, and the rest of the state divides up the crumbs that are left.
But even Portlanders lose in this deal. Portland has to give up most of its future highway money in exchange for the light rail money. A huge chunk of cash will be spent on a light rail system that will be used by about one percent of the population while the roads used by the other 99 percent are allowed to deteriorate.
It's even more ironic for those driving the crowded freeways saying, "I support light rail so those other guys will get off the freeway and make more room for me." In reality, the other guys are voting for light rail so you will get off the freeway and make room for them.
Almost no one who supports light rail really plans to use it!
Spending $1.5 billion on a light rail project that very few will ever use, at a time when Oregon's schools are requesting more money, is utterly foolish. We simply cannot afford both light rail and schools.
(This information furnished by Bill Sizemore, Oregon Taxpayers United PAC.)
(This space purchased for $500 in accordance with 1993 Or. Laws 811 §11.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.
PLEASE VOTE NO ON BALLOT MEASURE 32
STOP THE TRAIN!
IT IS A BLACK HOLE THAT WILL ENCUMBER YOU, YOUR CHILDREN, AND PROBABLY YOUR GRANDCHILDREN.
THIS SEGMENT OF TRACK IS THE THIRD BUT NOT THE LAST. MORE WILL BE PROPOSED, AT GREAT ADDITIONAL COST.
IT IS OVER-PRICED AND OVER-RATED. THERE ARE CHEAPER AND BETTER WAYS TO DO THE JOB.
VOTE NO ON THE PORTLAND LIGHT RAIL TROLLEY.
THANK YOU.
Representative Cedric Hayden
former Chairman (1995) House Subcommittee on Transportation
(This information furnished by Representative Cedric Hayden, 1995 Chairman, House Transportation Subcommittee.)
(This space purchased for $500 in accordance with 1993 Or. Laws 811 §11.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.