Move LA Executive Director Denny Zane and CA Assemblymember Michael Feuer making the case for Measure J at this month's Westside Urban Forum. Dan Rosenfeld, senior deputy for LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas, who has remained neutral, was charged with what he called "the unenviable assignment of laying the case against Measure J." The debate was moderated by David Abel, editor-in-chief of the Planning Report, and printed in this month's edition.

It began: "Measure R is responsible for the recent transit boom in Los Angeles County and has been hailed as a political and economic triumph, with more than two thirds of voters supporting a tax at the height of the recession. In extending the sales tax by another 30 years, Measure J will allow Los Angeles Metro to borrow off of an extended future revenue stream, thus making it possible to expedite project timelines and create much needed jobs. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's proposed 30/10 Initiative is where the effort began, "to use the long-term revenue from the Measure R sales tax as collateral for long-term bonds and a federal loan which will allow Metro to build 12 key mass transit projects in 10 years, rather than 30. Accelerating construction of these 12 key Metro projects will result in substantial cost savings."

Read it here.