From the August 18, 2000 print edition
   
BART expansion measure in limbo

   Timothy Roberts   Staff Writer
   
   As opposition grows to a ballot initiative that would extend BART into
   San Jose, both backers and opponents of the proposed transit plan are
   awaiting a decision from the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, whose
   support is seen as essential to the initiative's success.
   
   The organization, whose 175 members include the big-name tech
   companies that have given Silicon Valley its clout, would be asked to
   provide a good portion of the $1.6 million-plus campaign chest for the
   plan.
   
   "It's a moot point if the manufacturing group does not decide to fund
   the campaign," says Santa Clara County supervisor Pete McHugh, a
   supporter of the BART tax. "If they don't support it, it's a lost
   cause. No one else has those resources."
   
   Among those already lining up on the "no" side of the Nov. 7
   referendum are a statewide organization of train riders, an
   environmental group, and at least three out of five county
   supervisors. If the proposal passes, this would be the first time
   since 1978, when the anti-tax measure Proposition 13 brought public
   works projects to a screeching halt in California, that voters of
   Santa Clara County will have approved a tax measure by a two-thirds
   vote.
   
   Meanwhile, the campaign for Measure A, the official name of the
   initiative, will be led by Jude Barry, who will take a leave of
   absence from his post as chief of staff to San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales
   to head Taxpayers for Traffic Relief Now.
   
   On Wednesday, the "pro" side filed its argument in favor of the
   measure, which will be sent to all registered voters by the county
   registrar. Signers of the document included three former county
   supervisors: Mr. Gonzales, Susie Wilson and Rod Diridon Sr.
   
   Mr. Barry is optimistic that the campaign can raise more than the $1.6
   million it cost to pass a sales tax for transit and traffic
   improvements in 1994.
   
   Mayor Gonzales has committed himself to raise $1.2 million of the
   funding, Mr. Barry said. Sources that Mayor Gonzales will tap may
   include some members of the manufacturing group, he said.
   
   Mr. Barry said he is "hopeful and confident" the group will support
   Measure A.
   
   The campaign won't waste much time convincing commuters that they have
   a problem, Mr. Barry said. "The challenge will be convincing voters
   that this is a good plan."
   
   Groups opposing Measure A agree. They favor spending money on transit,
   but worry that this particular plan will fail to address all their
   concerns over congestion.
   
   "This process is totally out of control," said Bill Michel,
   conservation chairman for the Sierra Club chapter in Palo Alto. "There
   was no alternative analysis and inadequate public comment time."
   
   The Train Riders Association of California, which claims 7,000 members
   statewide and 600 in Santa Clara County, fears that money spent on the
   BART line will take money away from other transit projects.
   
   "We will do whatever we can to keep this thing from passing," said
   Richard Silver, executive director of the train riders group.
   
   Scott Knies, executive director of the San Jose Downtown Association,
   says his group supports bringing BART to downtown because it will be
   good for business.
   
   But neighborhood groups may oppose Measure A because they don't know
   what route it will take through their streets.
   
   "A lot of problems in downtown San Jose will be solved by transit,"
   says Ken Podgorsek, president of the Campus Community Association,
   which represents residents of the area around the San Jose State
   University campus. "But it has to be well thought out."
   
   "Where do you put it?" he asks. "How do you get the right alignment to
   get the most traffic? How do you keep it from destroying
   neighborhoods?"
   
   The manufacturing group has had little to say about the initiative,
   which would extend a 30-year half-cent sales tax to raise about $6
   billion to pay for the rail line and other transit and bus
   improvements.
   
   The manufacturing group's board will vote on the issue Aug. 22.
   
   Carl Guardino, president and CEO of the group, was not available to
   comment.
   
   Spokeswoman Michelle Montague-Bruno noted the group had been solidly
   behind an earlier $5 billion proposal that was similar to Measure A,
   except that it also included some road work, but did not include
   operating costs for BART. This proposal died last week when the county
   supervisors failed to endorse it.
   
   The manufacturing group conducted a survey in June showing that 65
   percent of Santa Clara County residents said they were willing to tax
   themselves to pay for extending BART into downtown San Jose.
   
   Santa Clara County supervisor Don Gage is not going to actively
   campaign against Measure A, but ask him, and he'll tell you what he
   thinks: "I don't believe it's a balanced approach," he said. The
   proposal leaves out the road improvements he would like to see.
   
   "I wanted trains and lanes," Mr. Gage said. "This is only taking into
   account half the problem."
   
   Supervisor Joe Simitian also worries that the measure is not balanced.
   He remains undecided on whether to support it.
   
   "I'm concerned that this measure will tie up all the transit funding
   for 30 years," he said.
   
   Supervisors Blanca Alvarado, who opposed the proposal when it came
   before the supervisors, could not be reached for comment. Supervisor
   Jim Beall, another opponent, says Measure A does not take into account
   the long-term operating costs for the BART extension and will lead to
   further tax increases.
   
   He said he expected Ms. Alvarado to file an argument against Measure
   A.
   
   Winning by two-thirds will a tall order, says San Jose State
   University political science professor Terry Christensen.
   
   He noted that San Benito County recently passed a transportation tax
   measure by a two-thirds vote, but he said that was the exception to
   the rule. Some schools have been able to pass tax measures but only in
   off-year or special elections, when only the committed came out to
   vote.
   
   Steve Tedesco, president of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of
   Commerce, says the campaign must spell out in detail what the tax
   extension will do, so voters will have a good reason to tax themselves
   further.
   
   The chamber hasn't voted on whether it will support the measure.
   
   "We need to make good choices," Mr. Tedesco said. "We are talking
   about a tax that will run 30 years."
   
   Contact Mr. Roberts at troberts@bizjournals.com.
   
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