St. Louis Beacon - RCGA endorses sales-tax increase for Metro on April 6 ballot

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RCGA endorses sales-tax increase for Metro on April 6 ballot

By Jo Mannies, Beacon political reporter

Posted 6:17 am Fri., 2.26.10

The Regional Chamber and Growth Association's Board of Directors announced today that it has approved a resolution supporting Proposition A, the transit sales tax proposal that will be on St. Louis County's April 6th ballot.

The half-cent sales tax proposal would raise money for Metro, the regional transit authority that operates MetroLink, MetroBus, and the Call-A-Ride program. After county voters rejected a similar tax increase measure in November 2008, Metro made dramatic trims in service.

The St. Louis County rejection had broad financial implications because city voters did approve the sales-tax increase, but the city portion goes into effect only if county voters approve the increase as well.

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In a statement, the RCGA said its support "is based on the fact that a strong transit system is vital to the economic growth, sustainability and competitiveness of the St. Louis region. The RCGA has a long-standing policy of increasing support for Metro, and is a member of the Greater St. Louis Transit Alliance to improve and expand transit throughout the region."

The association points out that Metro's ridership had increased by 18 percent over the five years prior to the cuts. And until those cuts, it adds, "97 percent of all jobs in St. Louis city and county could be reached by riding Metro transit."

RCGA's support likely signals that more corporate money will follow to help pay for the pro-Prop A campaign. An "informational" TV ad campaign already has been underway, in which major regional civic leaders praise public transit and emphasize the need for it.

Area colleges and universities already have weighed in on the need for Metro, noting that students make up about 10 percent of the agency's bus passengers and 7 percent of those who take Metrolink.

Comments

#1 Ed Golterman 2010-02-26 09:39

This is good enough reason.a stand-alone reason to vote against the tax increase. the RCGA has been right on very little over the last two decades.

#2 Nick Kasoff 2010-02-26 12:37

What a surprise ... St. Louis businesses want to increase my taxes. How about we impose a county business income tax instead ... think RCGA would endorse that?

And Bob Baer is on the RCGA board. That probably didn't make any difference, did it?

Well, here's a message to RCGA members: People can choose to shop outside of St. Louis county. For those who want to comparison shop, Missouri sales tax rates are available online dor.mo.gov/.../rates

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