One of the major ballot measures on Nov 4 is the Sound Transit Proposition 1. I am voting no.

First, we need a reality check of just how big a tax increase we're going to need to fix "the worst first": the critical infrastructure like the viaduct, 520, South Park bridge, etc.

An analogy: if we have a roof literally falling apart on our house, we should know what it is going to cost to replace it before we go ahead and sign a contract for an addition.

Second, there is significant room for growth with Metro bus service. Both more buses and park and ride spaces are needed. The ST Prop 1 additions of bus service are comparatively speaking a drop in the bucket.

The data presented in the proposition is complex. There are a number of assumptions that are not clearly stated, for example, the rate of inflation on construction costs, or just how much sooner the I-90 bridge will wear out with rail running on it and need to be replaced.

If these assumptions are wrong, shouldn't voters have a chance to express their opinion? One of the lessons of the monorail debacle is checks and balances are needed. Otherwise, there are incentives to oversell a rosy scenario in order to get the measure passed.

We are voting on two types of expenditures--capital construction and ongoing operations.

Eighty-eight percent of the capital construction in ST2 cost goes to light rail. Much of the rest is for the Sounder "commuter rail."

The cost for 80 some blocks from the end of the airport to 272nd, plus some future land acquisition, is a whopping $2 billion. Notably, the Sound Transit measure does NOT specify funds for ANY parking facilities at light rail stations. Realistically, how many people are going to live within walking distance of a rail station?

Ongoing operations appear to be much more heavily subsidized by taxpayers than Metro bus service. However, since Sound Transit has not announced fares for light rail riders, the exact amount of this subsidy is hard to determine.

For further reading, I would suggest former Sound Transit Board Member Doug McDonald's articles opposing the measure are at www.crosscut.com/2008/06/22/sound-transit/15258/ . (Mr. McDonald talks about population growth realities and ways of reducing CO2. Did you know fast growing areas like Marysville, Maple Valley, Snoqualmie and others are not in the Sound Transit taxing district?)

Another critique points out the increased congestion on I-90, AND that ST2 would spend at least $22.8 Billion to reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled by less than 1 percent. See www.washingtonpolicy.org/Centers/transportation/policynote/Sound_Transit_2008.html

There is also further information at www.NoToProp1.org

Stuart Jenner

Normandy Park