Lee's Summit Republican against transit tax...
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2003 10:32 am
From an e-mail I received, there is a key quote in there that really irks me. When elected people don't even want to give people the option to vote on something. KC needs this for SmartMoves to go foward.
Just thought I would give you a quick update on a few items.
I talked to Mayor Grounds Wednesday. He is still working on getting the 4th
morning bus back. He said they were waiting on numbers from the Metro to see
if the number of riders had fallen off considerably due to the increase in
fares. I explained to him that wasn't the case. Raising the fares has not
had a perceivable impact on ridership. I know the 2nd morning bus is so full
we have 4-7 people standing daily.
I keep hearing that the people that rented a Metro van in February are
coming back in April. If anyone could verify that it would help because we
can add those people coming back to substantiate our need for the 4th bus. I
know the 3rd bus was really full with people standing before they got the
van.
He also mentioned that the Metro, County and cities are working to get the
Missouri State Legislature to give the County permission to ask the voters
for a dedicated tax for public transportation. Right now only Kansas City
(only the city proper not he whole area), St. Louis City, and St.Louis
County have the right to ask for a dedicated public transportation tax. He
said the Republican representative from Lee's Summit, Bob Johnson, had been
asked to put this bill into the State House and he refused. Mayor Grounds
was told that Bob "didn't think Lee's Summit wanted this." Therefore they
are asking another representative to do it. He didn't tell me which one,
except he would be a Democrat. It is a shame that these things divide along
party lines, but I have heard that this has been a problem in the House for
several years when it comes to public transportation.
When a bill number is received, I will let you know so you can ask the State
House of Representatives to pass it. We aren't even asking them for any
money, just the right to ask the voters for a dedicated tax. We really
should have the same rights as St. Louis County.
Just thought I would give you a quick update on a few items.
I talked to Mayor Grounds Wednesday. He is still working on getting the 4th
morning bus back. He said they were waiting on numbers from the Metro to see
if the number of riders had fallen off considerably due to the increase in
fares. I explained to him that wasn't the case. Raising the fares has not
had a perceivable impact on ridership. I know the 2nd morning bus is so full
we have 4-7 people standing daily.
I keep hearing that the people that rented a Metro van in February are
coming back in April. If anyone could verify that it would help because we
can add those people coming back to substantiate our need for the 4th bus. I
know the 3rd bus was really full with people standing before they got the
van.
He also mentioned that the Metro, County and cities are working to get the
Missouri State Legislature to give the County permission to ask the voters
for a dedicated tax for public transportation. Right now only Kansas City
(only the city proper not he whole area), St. Louis City, and St.Louis
County have the right to ask for a dedicated public transportation tax. He
said the Republican representative from Lee's Summit, Bob Johnson, had been
asked to put this bill into the State House and he refused. Mayor Grounds
was told that Bob "didn't think Lee's Summit wanted this." Therefore they
are asking another representative to do it. He didn't tell me which one,
except he would be a Democrat. It is a shame that these things divide along
party lines, but I have heard that this has been a problem in the House for
several years when it comes to public transportation.
When a bill number is received, I will let you know so you can ask the State
House of Representatives to pass it. We aren't even asking them for any
money, just the right to ask the voters for a dedicated tax. We really
should have the same rights as St. Louis County.