Comments on: LA County Board of Supervisors Passes Their Confusion on to Voters http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/ Covering Los Angeles's livable streets movement Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:23:58 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Jacob http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-1883 Jacob Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:31:16 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/#comment-1883 By the way, it's AB 2321, not AB 2821. By the way, it's AB 2321, not AB 2821.

]]> By: Darrell Clarke http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-1878 Darrell Clarke Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:21:18 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/#comment-1878 No sales tax or other new funding measure leaves us with the default of the <a href="http://www.metro.net/projects_studies/lrtp/lrtp.htm" rel="nofollow">Draft LRTP</a>. Over the next decade that would basically only operate the current bus and rail system (with fare increases), complete Expo to Santa Monica, and do some north-south BRT in the Valley. And even less political willingness to support projects sought by officials who opposed the sales tax. No sales tax or other new funding measure leaves us with the default of the Draft LRTP. Over the next decade that would basically only operate the current bus and rail system (with fare increases), complete Expo to Santa Monica, and do some north-south BRT in the Valley. And even less political willingness to support projects sought by officials who opposed the sales tax.

]]> By: Dan Wentzel http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-1876 Dan Wentzel Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:51:06 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/#comment-1876 "In the 1970's, there were ideas floated for a South Bay County, Santa Clarita Valley county, and Antelope County. Would you rather see that instead? As for the County executive, voters rejected that idea when they decided that they didn't want Zev Yaroslavsky to be the King of Los Angeles County (he has been gunning for the job of County Executive for some time, although not as openly as he once did)." ------------------- What I'd rather see for our county of 10 million is what I suggested. An elected County Executive instead of the appointed CEO we have now, and an expanded Board of Supervisors 15-25 members that functions as a legislature. Whole countries with the same or fewer number of people have parliaments of 150 members. Having only five people with that much power in a county of this size doesn't work will. I realize that the County has already voted down an elected Executive and expanded board before. I still think it was the right way to go even though the proposal lost. -------------------- When the MTA board voted, and Molina abstained, that was a warning shot. While I don't believe the Gold Line was good transportation planning in theory or priority, it was always obvious to me that the deal to get the Purple and Expo lines finished were the two Gold Line extensions to buy Antonovich's and Molina's support and a Green Line extension to by Dana's support. I wish they had cut that deal to save the chance at the Purple Line extension. As of now, we might not see anything. "In the 1970's, there were ideas floated for a South Bay County, Santa Clarita Valley county, and Antelope County. Would you rather see that instead? As for the County executive, voters rejected that idea when they decided that they didn't want Zev Yaroslavsky to be the King of Los Angeles County (he has been gunning for the job of County Executive for some time, although not as openly as he once did)."

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What I'd rather see for our county of 10 million is what I suggested. An elected County Executive instead of the appointed CEO we have now, and an expanded Board of Supervisors 15-25 members that functions as a legislature. Whole countries with the same or fewer number of people have parliaments of 150 members. Having only five people with that much power in a county of this size doesn't work will. I realize that the County has already voted down an elected Executive and expanded board before. I still think it was the right way to go even though the proposal lost.

--------------------

When the MTA board voted, and Molina abstained, that was a warning shot.

While I don't believe the Gold Line was good transportation planning in theory or priority, it was always obvious to me that the deal to get the Purple and Expo lines finished were the two Gold Line extensions to buy Antonovich's and Molina's support and a Green Line extension to by Dana's support. I wish they had cut that deal to save the chance at the Purple Line extension.

As of now, we might not see anything.

]]> By: Simon http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-1875 Simon Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:10:35 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/#comment-1875 Hah, yes, of course. Hah, yes, of course.

]]> By: Damien Newton http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-1874 Damien Newton Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:00:04 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/#comment-1874 Simon - just to be clear...you don't mean me, you mean the other guy, right? Simon - just to be clear...you don't mean me, you mean the other guy, right?

]]> By: Simon http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-1873 Simon Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:43:01 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/#comment-1873 So logic dictates that their plan is this: Beat the ballot measure this year, then next year try to create another one with much more money set aside for their own projects. I suspect next year's measure will be hideously, horribly designed and incapable of generating enough revenue to build a subway more than a few blocks down Wilshire. I think this is really short-sighted. They're counting on being able to just create another sales tax bill in a year. Also, as I've argued with Damien online, I think he's being quite naive if he really thinks next year's sales tax bill will be anything but a worse version of this one. The most likely conclusion now is that the sales tax just won't happen. So logic dictates that their plan is this:
Beat the ballot measure this year, then next year try to create another one with much more money set aside for their own projects.

I suspect next year's measure will be hideously, horribly designed and incapable of generating enough revenue to build a subway more than a few blocks down Wilshire.

I think this is really short-sighted. They're counting on being able to just create another sales tax bill in a year. Also, as I've argued with Damien online, I think he's being quite naive if he really thinks next year's sales tax bill will be anything but a worse version of this one. The most likely conclusion now is that the sales tax just won't happen.

]]> By: calwatch http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-1872 calwatch Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:32:55 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/#comment-1872 LA County as an entity goes back to the 1850's, of course, and once included Orange and part of San Bernardino and Riverside counties. In the 1970's, there were ideas floated for a South Bay County, Santa Clarita Valley county, and Antelope County. Would you rather see that instead? As for the County executive, voters rejected that idea when they decided that they didn't want Zev Yaroslavsky to be the King of Los Angeles County (he has been gunning for the job of County Executive for some time, although not as openly as he once did). Although at this point, despite my distaste for Zev's famous waffling and refusal to step out and be the first to take a position, Zev as King might actually be a good idea. I hope Gloria Molina is going to be happy imposing a 40% fare increase in 2009, though. This is what is going to happen if the sales tax fails. Rail construction projects have already been committed but Metro will not have money to operate them, and the structural deficit will just continue ballooning. That or the equivalent of eliminating all bus and train service on weekends, or contracting out 50% of all bus service and enduring a multi-month strike are the alternatives. LA County as an entity goes back to the 1850's, of course, and once included Orange and part of San Bernardino and Riverside counties. In the 1970's, there were ideas floated for a South Bay County, Santa Clarita Valley county, and Antelope County. Would you rather see that instead? As for the County executive, voters rejected that idea when they decided that they didn't want Zev Yaroslavsky to be the King of Los Angeles County (he has been gunning for the job of County Executive for some time, although not as openly as he once did). Although at this point, despite my distaste for Zev's famous waffling and refusal to step out and be the first to take a position, Zev as King might actually be a good idea.

I hope Gloria Molina is going to be happy imposing a 40% fare increase in 2009, though. This is what is going to happen if the sales tax fails. Rail construction projects have already been committed but Metro will not have money to operate them, and the structural deficit will just continue ballooning. That or the equivalent of eliminating all bus and train service on weekends, or contracting out 50% of all bus service and enduring a multi-month strike are the alternatives.

]]> By: Dan Wentzel http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-1871 Dan Wentzel Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:09:00 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/#comment-1871 The whole Board of Supervisors needs an overhaul. Who's bright idea was it to allow a county of 10 million people be governed by a fused executive/legislative board of only five people anyway? This isn't Colusa County. We need an elected county legislature and a directly election county executive instead, as Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties have in New York. A County Executive could advocate for the needs of the county as a whole. ---------------- It is a pretty dark day for Los Angeles County. I don't expect any better from Antonovich or Knabe. However, Gloria Molina knew better. I hope she's happy that she's getting her revenge for the Eastside not getting a subway, and a lousy light rail instead. Well, now no one will get anything. The Gold Line moves to the back of the line, and there will be precious little grade separation on the Expo Line. The whole Board of Supervisors needs an overhaul. Who's bright idea was it to allow a county of 10 million people be governed by a fused executive/legislative board of only five people anyway? This isn't Colusa County.

We need an elected county legislature and a directly election county executive instead, as Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties have in New York. A County Executive could advocate for the needs of the county as a whole.

----------------

It is a pretty dark day for Los Angeles County. I don't expect any better from Antonovich or Knabe. However, Gloria Molina knew better. I hope she's happy that she's getting her revenge for the Eastside not getting a subway, and a lousy light rail instead. Well, now no one will get anything. The Gold Line moves to the back of the line, and there will be precious little grade separation on the Expo Line.

]]> By: Hank http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-1870 Hank Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:09:41 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/#comment-1870 This just proves were never going to get the system we all wish we had that it I'm moving north. This just proves were never going to get the system we all wish we had that it I'm moving north.

]]> By: Dan Wentzel http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-1868 Dan Wentzel Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:18:38 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/#comment-1868 This is outrageous. As if Molina is above making back room deals herself. I didn't expect any better from Knabe and Antonovich, but still... At least be honest why you voted no. "I didn't get enough guaranteed parochial money for my district and the needs of the county as a whole be damned." There is no other deal in the works. A once in a generation opportunity may have been lost. It's a disaster for everyone who wishes a transit alternative to the declining in quality Los Angeles car culture. This is outrageous. As if Molina is above making back room deals herself. I didn't expect any better from Knabe and Antonovich, but still...

At least be honest why you voted no. "I didn't get enough guaranteed parochial money for my district and the needs of the county as a whole be damned."

There is no other deal in the works. A once in a generation opportunity may have been lost.

It's a disaster for everyone who wishes a transit alternative to the declining in quality Los Angeles car culture.

]]> By: Darrell Clarke http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-1867 Darrell Clarke Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:15:35 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/#comment-1867 Talk about opponents shooting themselves in the foot: With no sale tax there's no Eastside extension past Atlantic for Gloria Molina, no Foothill Gold Line for John Fasana and Mike Antonovich, and no increase in operating funding for the BRU's supporters. On the ballot finally or not, with "leadership" like this what are its chances of passage in November? For contrast, be sure to see Ken Alpern's <a href="http://www.citywatchla.com/content/view/1471/75/" rel="nofollow">CityWatchLA</a> column this week, "Time for the County Board to Act Like Grownups". Talk about opponents shooting themselves in the foot: With no sale tax there's no Eastside extension past Atlantic for Gloria Molina, no Foothill Gold Line for John Fasana and Mike Antonovich, and no increase in operating funding for the BRU's supporters. On the ballot finally or not, with "leadership" like this what are its chances of passage in November?

For contrast, be sure to see Ken Alpern's CityWatchLA column this week, "Time for the County Board to Act Like Grownups".

]]> By: Dana Gabbard http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-1865 Dana Gabbard Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:34:34 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/05/la-county-board-of-supervisors-passes-their-confusion-on-to-voters/#comment-1865 The whole thing conjures up a phrase: banana oil! The whole thing conjures up a phrase: banana oil!

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