Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In

(Note: As we did in 2008, Streetsblog encourages the submission of op/eds about the ballot propositions on the November ballot.  Have something transportation related to say?  Feel free to email me at damien at streetsblog dot org.  None of these op/eds should be considered an endorsement by Streetsblog.)

11 26 10 yes

Proposition 22 is the latest salvo in an ongoing war between key stakeholders who have a stake (and straw) in the state's budget over who gets how much of it locked up for them. Its purpose is to declare an end to the funding raids the legislature and Governor have engaged in repeatedly during this decade to balance the budget at the expense of transit.

Some find the aspect of 22 that benefits redevelopment agencies as a reason to recoil. This was a realpolitik decision the folks working to get 22 on the ballot made as the transit industry needed at least one other major stakeholder supporting the measure to be sure it would have the necessary financial clout behind it to get on the ballot and provide at least a modest campaign on its behalf.

Regardless of the smell factor and any worries about 22 being yet another budget by ballot measure "locking in" funding that help foster a dysfunctional fiscal structure for the state, if you support transit you should vote for 22 for one salient reason: to end transit's image among insiders and elected officials as being a weakling and therefore able to be robbed with impunity.

It sounds akin to a street fight, with transit as the little guy who finds it necessary to bloody the nose of a bully before gaining a measure of respect and some peace. Frankly the real world of politics often calls for blunt assertive action to stop being pushed around. Also by saying "hands off!" we take one more bit of fiscal hocus pocus out of the mix of flim flam that has allowed the legislature and Governor to evade dealing with the fiscal realties of the state's situation. Real budget reform would be a happy long-term consequence of the passage of Proposition 22. For all these reasons I urge a yes vote.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Breaking: House Moves to Rescind $3.1B for Reconnecting Communities Divided by Highways

The House Transportation Committee wants to slash funding for one of America's most critical equity-focused grant programs — unless advocates speak out and get them to reverse course.

April 29, 2025

Metro and Caltrans Break Ground on 105 Freeway Expansion

105 Freeway expansion is touted as "leaving a lasting legacy for Angelenos for decades to come" but it might not be the legacy that Metro and Caltrans think it is

April 25, 2025
See all posts