Ken Ohrn:
Kelly Sinoski writes in the Vancouver Sun about support coalescing around the transit referendum.
My fear is that, without good planning and communication, the referendum could become a popularity contest on TransLink. Unless the benefits, and the costs of doing nothing, are articulated well and supported credibly, the referendum could also focus on taxes (funding sources).
Referenda are also notoriously difficult to win when it comes to emerging ideas, and can become a popularity contest on the status quo. But transit is quite prevalent and successful in Metro Vancouver. We are fortunate to see an emerging group of supporters from a wide spectrum of society that are repudiating the “all cars all the time” paradigm — so we may have a chance to succeed with this referendum after all.
Backers include BC Fed of Labour, VBoT, DVA, DVBIA, the Mayors, and student groups.
The all-important question will be developed on Dec 5 and voted upon Dec 11 at the Mayor’s Council, before approval by the Prov Gov’t. In my mind, this is the most important part of the equation, with broad support being the second, and a solid campaign being the third.
What we are still missing is a leader — a well-known public face for the pro-transit effort.
Gordon, you are the leader!
What Michael said.
What is missing is a debate on taxation levels, and cost of services delivery, paid for by taxes, specifically excessive public sector pay and associated benefits such as pensions.
As such, all the usual beneficiaries ( the one listed) of higher taxes support more transit, paid for by taxes of ” the other guy “.
THAT is the core issue.
Only if benefits for all, including those that will pay more, is clearly shown will the referendum succeed.
Seems like every is backing a positive outcome, even the Minister of Transportation says he wants it to succeed. Question is, who is opposed? Who (other than the anti-tax parrot bateman) is going to advocate no to this?
I have rarely seen such agreement on an issue as the need for better transit yet such a vacuum of leadership from those who can provide it.
Of course we need better transit, especially subways. The question is who is paying for it: higher sales tax, higher gasoline tax, road tolls, higher vehicle levies , higher property taxes ? Or also lower pension benefits of overpaid civil servants and quasi-public employees ?
The question isn’t who’s paying for this, the answer is obvious. Of course you and I are going to pay for it. Like everything else. The question is, what’s the cost of saying no.
It is not so simple .. as some folks pay a little and benefit A LOT .. and others pay A LOT and benefit little.
What is missing is the salaries and benefits of folks delivering services at BC Hydro, ICBC, City of Vancouver, TransLink, BC Ferries, Coast Mountain Bus Company etc .. i.e. all those public servants and quasi-pubic servants. Are their salary too high .. and especially their benefits and pension in light of the low risk of layoffs .. and if so, what to do about it ? THIS discussion is conveniently swept under the carpet. Is a bus driver making $70,000+ a year with benefits too high, or a BC Ferries cafeteria worker at $55,000+ or a TransLink security worker at $100,000+ ?? THAT discussion is utterly missing from the “up the taxes” to get more public transit by “overpaid civil servants with low risk jobs” debate !
I’d gladly pay more in taxes if I got a subway to UBC, or faster bus service .. but will I ? Or will I just get a bus just as slow as a car (i.e. stuck in traffic) but far less convenient, crowded, without A/C in the summer and too hot in the winter, while wobbling along Broadway with people coughing in my face, while I look for a place to sit ?