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News & ArtsWednesday, August 10, 2011
City Hearing on Car Tab Fees: From $0 to $80
Posted by Dominic Holden on Wed, Aug 10, 2011 at 5:21 PM
Mayor Mike McGinn wants an $80 fee, as recommended by the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee III, which could be used partly to design and construct a speedy street-rail network. But that would require allowing the tax to run indefinitely, a prospect council members think may turn off voters if it goes on the fall ballot.
However, the Seattle Transportation Benefit District board (AKA, The Seattle City Council) is giving more weight to a $60 car tab fee that would expire after eight years. That likely couldn't fund rail, but it may resonate with voters because it doesn't cost as much or last as long. The council members, who must decide whether to send something to the ballot by August 16, say they are looking at this hearing for guidance on what to do:
[The meeting is done but will be archived on the Seattle Channel.]
WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING: Testimony from the 50 people in the council chamber is overwhelmingly lopsided in favor of sending an $80 fee to the voters, allocating half of the revenue for transit. Others are asking that the board allocate more for new sidewalks, earmark more for bus service, or invest more into street repairs. In the slim minority is John Fox, director of the Seattle Displacement Coalition, who says, "I will be working with others to block this measure." It's a regressive tax with disporportionate impacts on the poor, Fox says, particularly when compounded with other expenses like parking meters and existing vehicle license fees. He also says there's no safeguard to stop the money from funding what he calls a “colossally wasteful streetcar system."
But again, Fox is outnumbered. Supporters of the full $80 fee acknowledge that this is the only funding tool available to the city right now—as decreed by Olympia—and many have expressed support for a streetcar system. Sierra Hansen emphasized the value in connecting the South Lake Union streetcar and future First Hill streetcar lines. Meanwhile, King County Labor Council executive secretary David Frieboth says a streetcar network would bring jobs. But Frieboth has stopped short of advocating streetcars be funded with this package. Perhaps he's acknowledging the council's preference—placing an 8 to 12 year limit on car tabs, which may play better with voters than an endless tax—wouldn't fulfill the long-term revenues necessary for rail construction. Frieboth said only that "expanding our streetcar system warrants serious review."
Thanks, without your help in constantly taxing the lower classes, the lower classes might support an income tax.
3
Yeah, at least this would ADD capacity, as opposed to reducing it like the Deeply Tolled Tunnel dies.
4
5
Only because we already have an existing fleet of green buses that work just fine. Sure, lets fall in love with the streetcar again, but only when its to replace our aging buses and only if the city of Seattle takes no part in the planning. It should be left for Sound Transit or Metro.
7
As for the regressive nature of the tax, Councilmen O'Brien's rebate for low income would solve most of that:
http://obrien.seattle.gov/2011/08/08/why…
No it's not perfect, but for Seattle to build the infrastructure it needs it has to raise money, usually in the form of taxes. Unfortunately the State restricts the ways Seattle can do this. A flat fee isn’t ideal, but it’s the best we can do. Then you have Councilmen O’Brien’s rebate plan. Is it perfect, no. Yes you will be required to do a bit of work to get the rebate, but it’s better than no rebate and damn sure better than not getting the infrastructure improvements at all.
If you have a problem with this funding mechanism, feel that it is less than perfect, don’t take it out on the rest of the transit riding public, take it out on your legislator. Ask him/her why the City Council is so constrained in it’s ability to raise revenue for transit, sidewalk improvements etc.
But "the value in connecting the South Lake Union streetcar and future First Hill streetcar lines"? You've got to be kidding me!
You are aware that the proposed connector through downtown will only come every 12-15 minutes, right? And that it runs just a block from - and twice crosses - the existing light rail line that covers the distance 5 or 6 times faster? Hardly sounds like a downtown transit spine of vital significance!
Why are we making this our transit Waterloo?
Or Maybe older cars should be charged more because they have worse mileage an emissions?
15
People realize that rail doesn't go up and down hills...which why light rail in Seattle costs $190,000 per mile instead of the standard $30,000 (because we have to drill into the earth and build subway stations so it can stay level).
So, implementing yet another rail technology seems...strange.
If it were up to me (and it never is...) I would have just rebuilt the old Interurban line...runs flat...visits all the key places...and hooked it up to the local buses.
19
Color me shocked.
I have a new car, and I currently pay $170.
@19,
They aren't related. The $20 tab fee will be in addition to the $80, assuming both pass.
For my part, since I've pledged to never again vote for a new regressive tax, I will be abstaining on the $20 fee and voting no on the $80. If the mayor would be more reasonable and propose $40 or $60, I could be convinced not to vote on that fee as well.
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