Measure R - What Next?

Voter approval of Measure R by nearly 68% (a 2/3 vote was required) in November, 2008, was a stirring victory for transit advocates in Los Angeles County. Of the $40 billion that Measure R is expected to generate over the next 30 years, nearly 70% will be dedicated to transit development and operations. A major subway extension, multiple light rail lines, and an expanded bus system will be the voters’ reward for their approval. However, no one wants to wait a decade or two for the benefits Measure R will provide.

Is it possible to accelerate the implementation of Measure R transit projects? Yes, here is how!

Step #1: Create a Standing Committee at LA Metro to specifically monitor and make recommendations on Measure R implementation.

LA Metro Measure R Implementation Committee

Measure R Project Delivery Committee
9 a.m., 3rd Thursday
Pam O’Connor, Chair; Richard Katz, Vice Chair; José Huizar; Mark Ridley-Thomas; Zev Yaroslavsky; Doug Failing, non-voting member

Report to Committee: July 16, 2009
http://www.metro.net/board/Items/2009/07_July/20090715AdHocMeasureRItem27HandoutRev.pdf

Step #2: Approve an updated Long Range Transportation Plan (The last update: 2001). This is necessary for any Measure R project to be eligible for even a small amount of federal funding. Some, like the Wilshire Subway and the Regional Connector, will require a significant amount of federal funding.

LRTP was on the Metro Board agenda on July 23, 09. Continued to September 24, 2009
http://www.metro.net/board/Items/2009/07_July/20090723RBMItem61.pdf

Metro staff recommendations on Priorities for Application for Federal New Starts program:
http://www.metro.net/board/Items/2009/07_July/20090723RBMItem62.pdf

Move LA Position:
http://movela.org/PDF/CommentsonLRTP.pdf

Step #3: Work to see the approval of the proposed National Infrastructure Development Bank, HR 2521 (DeLauro, Conn.). Such an institution can provide low (or no) interest loans secured by Measure R revenue and accelerate all Measure R projects:

Summary of NIDB
http://movela.org/letters/NIDBASummary.pdf

Text of the Bill:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-2521

Author’s website:
http://delauro.house.gov/release.cfm?id=2553

Metro staff report recommending support for the NIDB Bill:
http://www.metro.net/board/Items/2009/06_June/20090618EMACItem63.pdf

Move LA sign on letter supporting NIDB Bill:
movela.org/letters/SignonNIDB.pdf

• Work to ensure strong transit commitments and commitments to major metropolitan areas in the pending Federal Transportation Reauthorization Bill (MAP 21).
  
  Oberstar Blueprint for House version of the Transportation Reauthorization Bill.
  
  Executive Summary of Blueprint for Reform:
  http://transportation.house.gov/Media/file/Highways/HPP/Surface%20Transportation%20Blueprint%20Executive%20Summary.pdf
  
  Federal Surface Transportation Framework:
  http://transportation.house.gov/Media/file/Highways/HPP/Surface%20Transportation%20Blueprint%20Program%20Consolidation.pdf
  
  Blueprint for Investment and Reform
  http://transportation.house.gov/Media/file/Highways/HPP/Surface%20Transportation%20Blueprint.pdf
  
  
• Support transit operating funding in the American Clean Energy and Security Act, HR 2454 (Waxman, CA) also known as the Climate Bill.
  
  Summary of Climate Bill
  http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090724/hr2454_housesummary.pdf
  
  Section by section summary:
  http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090720/hr2454_sectionsummary.pdf
  
  Full text of HR 2454:
  http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090701/hr2454_house.pdf
  
  
• Now the action moves to the Senate, initially in the Environment and Public Works Committee Chaired by Senator Barbara Boxer of California.
  
  Boxer Opening Statement: "Hearing on Climate Change and Ensuring that America Leads the Clean Energy Transformation"
  http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Majority.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=f037533f-802a-23ad-4987-0842f3a54855
  
  Move LA will urge significant transit operating funding in the final Senate version of this measure.
  
  
  

Step #5: Work to ensure new opportunities for transit funding in California, especially tools that are available for local level development and implementation.

• Example:
  Reduce voter threshold for voter approval of transportation measures to 55%
  
  Draft of proposed California Constitutional Amendment that will, if approved by voters, reduce voter approval requirement to 55% for variety of local measures, including transportation measures.
  
  
• Example:
  Seek authority for Metro to enact vehicle fees to use for transit development and operations.
  
  
• Example:
  Metro should consider parking surcharges phased in along major rail or bus rapid transit corridors, only reaching specified amounts when line becomes operational.