CAMPAIGN 2006: Transit Propositions - Ads for bond measures promise improvements that may not be mad

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 11/6/6 | Michael Cabanatuan

[SmithL]

The quick-paced television commercials for the infrastructure bond measures make promises that voters can't count on.

Proponents of Propositions 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E are running 11 versions of the same ad, which feature different lists of transportation projects based on the region in which the commercials air.

In the Bay Area ad, the announcer promises the bond measures will "expand the Caldecott Tunnel, improve 101 and 880, and extend BART and Caltrain."

But representatives of Bay Area transportation agencies say that isn't necessarily how they'll spend the money.

Projects meeting those broad descriptions are among the Bay Area's transportation priorities. But Prop. 1B, the $20 billion transportation bond, includes no specific list of projects to be funded -- except for upgrades to Highway 99 in the San Joaquin Valley.

Prop. 1B leaves the decisions to county and regional transportation planners and individual public transit agencies in conjunction with the California Transportation Commission, an appointed board that oversees transportation spending in the state. The measure's authors wanted to avoid creating a proposition larded with a long list of projects determined by politics rather than need or merit.

Paul Hefner, a spokesman for Let's Rebuild California, the pro-bonds campaign, said polls showed that voters wanted to know where the money would go.

"Voters expect to know the details these days of what a proposal is going to do," he said.

But will the improvements promised in the commercials be built?

BART is likely to spend the $246 million it would get on replacing its rail cars and completing its seismic strengthening and security enhancements, spokesman Linton Johnson said, not on extensions.

"That commercial was made without our consent," he said. "It's not necessarily extending BART except indirectly by freeing up money that's now set aside for other purposes.

[calcowgirl]

But Prop. 1B, the $20 billion transportation bond, includes no specific list of projects to be funded . . . Paul Hefner, a spokesman for Let's Rebuild California, the pro-bonds campaign, said polls showed that voters wanted to know where the money would go.

Yep. I want to know, not be fed up a made-up list by campaign salesman. Until that list is formally included or described in the initiative language, they can expect my NO vote.

[SierraWasp]

"Bay Area transportation agencies say that isn't necessarily how they'll spend the money."

That's because they're STAKEHOLDERS!!! (another name for claimjumpers)

I am going to have such a good feeling as I don't vote for Arnold or the Greek Geek and as I vote against each and every bond and initiative measure except Prop 90!!!

I'm gonna have trouble sleepin tonight in anticipation! It's just like Christmas!!!

I'd ping NormsRevenge but I don't usually ping basquers. Oh what the heck? I think I'll ping him anaways!!!

[SierraWasp]

How does this artickle grab you?

[tubebender]

I heard Norm fled the country so he won't have to listen to these lying snake oil salesmen...

[calcowgirl]

I'll be enjoying voting, too.
With little ink-a-vote thingie in hand, marking NO--NO--NO--NO... etc.

I'll enjoy it even more when we see Tom win and all the Bondage and TAX measures go down. (I think that's redundant-- Bonds=taxes)

As to basquers... I'm jealous too! :-)

[calcowgirl]

I heard Norm fled the country so he won't have to listen to these lying snake oil salesmen...

And his attraction to little grass skirts... (hopefully not wearing them!) ;-)

[tubebender]

Well, now the world knows...

[NormsRevenge]

If folks only knew how some of the bond money will be spent .. they might not be so gung ho to blow the dough of their children on the latest round of big daddy deep pockets bond initiatives..


and basque away. :-)

[NormsRevenge]

I can confirm a multiple grass skirt sighting at the
Aloha Tower marketplace ,, right next to Hooters.
No pics available, (I forgot to take pics) *-)

I will not be able to offer details beyond that at this time, my wireless is about to expire in a few minutes, plus we are rising early to get to the airport and onto the Big Island.

[SmithL]

I voted no.

[SierraWasp]

"I voted no."

Glad to hear it! So did I.

By the way... The LA Slimes had an "Exit Polling" person clear out here in Schwartzenegger's Sierra-Nevada Conservancy today!!!

Must be one of them "Metro-Sexuals" lookin for some of them really rare "Rural-Sexuals!"

[Czar]

"I am going to have such a good feeling as I don't vote for Arnold or the Greek Geek and as I vote against each and every bond and initiative measure except Prop 90!!!"

And this family (6 votes) shares your euphoria for most of the same reasons.