Upfront with Robert Mak this week focused on the RTID and the many problems it faces as the development lobby steers it toward the polls in November. As per usual with RTID media coverage, Mak mistakenly framed the package as a "plan to improve your commute," which is of course the farthest thing from the minds of the promoters. Maybe someday one of these reporters will get it right and frame it as a "plan to enable development, and attract new residents."
Whatever the case, it may just be that the voters have finally wised up, and realized that the taxes they paid for a widened I-90 simply resulted in a gazillion homes on the plateau, not a better commute, and won't fall for it again.
Upfront produced results from a survey of 500 trii-county residents regarding some critical RTID tax components that aren't usually mentioned by the Master Builders Association and the rest of the lobby. (Yes, Virginia it's not just tolls and gas taxes being paid by SUV drivers that will fund the cool trains and the carpool lanes.) We'll have to pay sales taxes and more license/tab fees as well. Check out what voters think:
Ouch.
Complete results from this survey are available at www.surveyusa.com.
Click "breaking news polls" and look for the KING 5 poll on 5/31/07.
Ridership on the future light rail is forecast to be very light.
Posted by: John N | June 11, 2007 at 12:33 AM