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An Overview of Transit Referendum Campaigns and the Communities That Have Conducted Them

An Overview of Transit Referendum Campaigns and the Communities That Have Conducted Them. Alan C. Wulkan Senior Vice President Parsons Brinckerhoff. Santa Clara Beats the Odds. Phoenix Voters Put Transit on Track. METRO’s Train Comes In: Rail Plan Approved in Houston.

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An Overview of Transit Referendum Campaigns and the Communities That Have Conducted Them

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  1. An Overview of Transit Referendum Campaigns and the Communities That Have Conducted Them Alan C. Wulkan Senior Vice President Parsons Brinckerhoff

  2. Santa Clara Beats the Odds Phoenix Voters Put Transit on Track METRO’s Train Comes In: Rail Plan Approved in Houston Kansas City Voters Reject Light Rail High Speed Rail Service Wins in Florida Lawmakers Test Drive Transit Plan Monorail in Seattle Springs Back to Life Transit Tax Passes in Miami Three Counties Support Transit Tax in Utah

  3. National Election Results Source: Center for Transportation Excellence

  4. 53% 31% Total # of Elections 53% 33% 69% 56% 47% 71% 67% 47% 44% 29% National Election Results Source: Center for Transportation Excellence

  5. Dade County - 1999 Summary • Special election • 1% sales tax • Eliminate tolls • Replace general fund support • Expand metro rail and bus service

  6. Dade County - 1999Strategy • Strong champion - Dade County mayor • Special election • Low turnout • Highly targeted • Quality voters

  7. Dade County – 1999Strategy, continued • Closely controlled campaign • Business community fund raising • $1.8 million • Appeal to special interests • Traffic vs. tolls • Polling results

  8. Dade County – 1999Results • Defeated 2 to 1 • High turnout - 30% • Anti-government vote • Hispanic and Anglo “no” vote • Anti-tax mood • Failed campaign strategy • No grassroots support

  9. Dade County - 2002 Summary • General election • ½% sales tax • Maintenance of effort provision • Transit and local transportation projects • Expand metro rail & bus countywide • Limited administrative costs

  10. Dade County – 2002Strategy • People’s Transportation Plan • General election • Reduced tax from previous election • Mayor and County Commission directed • Low-key campaign

  11. Dade County – 2002Strategy continued • Immediate results • Citizens Independent Transit Trust (CITT) • Learn from San Jose conference

  12. Dade County – 2002Results • Approved 2 to 1 • High turnout (52%) • Created CITT

  13. Houston METRO - 2003 Issues • Existing tax plan • Highly politicized issue • Tied to concurrent mayoral election • Third attempt over the past 20 years • Tremendous opposition – outspent proponents 3 to 1

  14. Houston METRO - 2003 Strategy • Required political compromise • Extension of general mobility* funds from 2009 to 2014 • Limited next phase to 22-miles of LRT • Public involvement process involved 100’s of meetings w/1,000’s of attendees • Strong local newspaper support * 25% of 1% of the Sales Tax

  15. Houston METRO – 2003Results • Referendum passed 52% to 48% • 73-mile LRT plan approved for 2025 • Bonding authority for first 22 miles of LRT approved • Total plan includes additional bus service & HOV lanes • Mayoral race undecided

  16. City of Tempe, AZ – 1996Issues • Strong citizen process with local emphasis • Very strong business community support • Low-profile political support

  17. City of Tempe, AZ – 1996Summary & Results • ½-cent sales tax in perpetuity • Expanded bus, dial-a-ride, rail planning, and bike / pedestrian paths • Passed 54% to 46%

  18. City of Phoenix - 1997 Issues & Strategy • Highly targeted campaign • Strong vote by mail campaign • Governor opposition • Rail issue • Anti-government voter

  19. City of Phoenix - 1997 Summary & Results • Half-cent sales tax for transit • Citizens-based plan • Strong business community support • Mayor of Phoenix champion • Special election • Defeated by 122 votes

  20. City of Phoenix - 2000 Issues & Strategy • Strong vote-by-mail campaign • Specifically defined plan • Address the opposition • Rail issue • Anti-government voter

  21. City of Phoenix - 2000 Summary • .04% sales tax for transit • 65% for bus improvements, 35% for light rail • Citizens-based plan • Strong business community support • Mayor of Phoenix champion

  22. City of Phoenix - 2000 Results • Approved 2 to 1 • Citizens Transit Commission created via referendum • Ballot included maps of proposed improvements

  23. Principles • Focus on winning • Follow keys to success • Survey early and often • Early fund raising • Keep it simple • Transit election unique

  24. Keys to Success • Champion(s) • Professional political consultant • Grassroots support • Campaign funding

  25. Keys to Success • Champion(s) • Recognized household name • No political interest • Time commitment • Examples • Former Mayor - Austin, Texas • Chamber Leaders - Tempe, Arizona • Former City Council - Tempe, Arizona • Radio Station Owner - Dade County, Florida

  26. Keys to Success • Professional political consultant • Local vs. National • Get the best available • Listen to the consultant • Issue campaign experience • Realistic budget • Campaign strategy critical

  27. Keys to Success • Grassroots support • Business community • Neighborhood groups • Community organizations • League of women voters • Service organizations • Speakers bureau • Diverse support

  28. Keys to Success • Campaign funding • Committee chair key • Broad-based finance committee • Set realistic budget • Money comes late • Big and small contributions • Know the law

  29. Election Issues • What’s in it for me? • The 1% myth • All rail systems over budget and little ridership • Transit should pay for itself • Cheaper options

  30. Election Issues • Other priorities • Government mistrust • Empty buses • Transit does little for air quality • National anti-rail experts

  31. Elections SummaryLessons Learned • Usually multiple attempts before a funding referendum is passed • Outcome often more influenced by other issues (the economy, government interest, etc.) than support for public transit • All local elections identified were “all or nothing” propositions

  32. Elections SummaryLessons Learned • Can succeed as stand-alone or in combination with highway proposition • The most successful campaigns had grassroots support and professional management • Many well-financed, well-endorsed tax initiatives fail due to grassroots opposition

  33. Elections SummaryLessons Learned • Successful transit election is more likely if: • Specific projects are linked with the funding request • Proposition is focused at the short-term and immediate time frames

  34. Elections SummaryLessons Learned • Most transit elections usually are close because a relatively small number of direct constituencies benefit from the tax • Eventually, every urban area that has attempted to pass dedicated transit revenue has succeeded on the second or third attempt

  35. An Overview of Transit Referendum Campaigns and the Communities That Have Conducted Them Alan C. Wulkan Senior Vice President Parsons Brinckerhoff

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