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SMART survey bodes well for train in November
Author: DAVE I
Date: 07-14-2008 - 11:27
SMART survey bodes well for train in November
Staff Report NARIN IJ
Article Launched: 07/14/2008 12:04:22 AM PDT
POLL RESULTS indicate that voters may be ready to give the green light to a passenger train in Marin and Sonoma counties.
Timing is crucial in most things in life, but especially in politics.
Backers of Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit have released poll results showing that a bi-county measure for a quarter-cent sales tax increase has 77 percent support among voters who were surveyed.
That is an impressive level of support, especially considering train backers have not unleashed their campaign for the November ballot.
In 2006, a SMART sales tax measure received 65.3 percent in the two counties - just short of the two-thirds majority it needed to pass. SMART received 57 percent of the vote in Marin, where opponents focused their efforts, which was enough to offset Sonoma County and defeat the passenger train system.
The 2006 measure also steamed toward a November ballot with promising poll results, so political decision-makers know full well that victory this November is far from guaranteed.
Still, SMART supporters should be thrilled with the poll results that showed three in four voters in favor of the passenger train and 70-mile bike path.
The poll found increased support for SMART among voters in both counties.
In Sonoma, the level of support is a lofty 83 percent, easily a public mandate.
Support from Marin voters, according to the poll, is 71 percent - up sharply from the election results in 2006.
Although the SMART board voted in 2006 to
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commit itself to return to the ballot this year, it must make a formal declaration in the coming months.
SMART's opponents can raise doubts about the poll results. The pulse of the voters is not being taken during the heat of a political campaign.
But SMART's backers can make a similar case for the veracity of the numbers by arguing that pro-train forces have done little to promote their cause.
What the numbers likely reflect is a growing awareness among voters that there has to be another option to get up and down the congested Highway 101 corridor beside driving gas-guzzling, pollution-spewing cars and SUVs.
As gas prices keep climbing - can $6 for a gallon be far away? - and awareness grows about the urgent need to combat climate change, a passenger train is making more sense to more people.
SMART leaders still need to make a case to voters about changes that will make the train more "green" and more convenient for potential riders. The agency still has to make a stronger case to voters in Novato and San Rafael that passengers trains would be an asset rather than a headache.
But gas prices and concern about global warming appear to be adding up to a decided political advantage for a SMART ballot measure.
At the same time, the SMART sales tax increase - even if it is just a quarter of a cent - comes at a time of great economic uncertainty.
SMART came close last time and should be able to make an even stronger case that it's worth it; that the train can be an effective and environmentally friendly way to commute for those searching for a viable alternative to using their own car.
Staff Report NARIN IJ
Article Launched: 07/14/2008 12:04:22 AM PDT
POLL RESULTS indicate that voters may be ready to give the green light to a passenger train in Marin and Sonoma counties.
Timing is crucial in most things in life, but especially in politics.
Backers of Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit have released poll results showing that a bi-county measure for a quarter-cent sales tax increase has 77 percent support among voters who were surveyed.
That is an impressive level of support, especially considering train backers have not unleashed their campaign for the November ballot.
In 2006, a SMART sales tax measure received 65.3 percent in the two counties - just short of the two-thirds majority it needed to pass. SMART received 57 percent of the vote in Marin, where opponents focused their efforts, which was enough to offset Sonoma County and defeat the passenger train system.
The 2006 measure also steamed toward a November ballot with promising poll results, so political decision-makers know full well that victory this November is far from guaranteed.
Still, SMART supporters should be thrilled with the poll results that showed three in four voters in favor of the passenger train and 70-mile bike path.
The poll found increased support for SMART among voters in both counties.
In Sonoma, the level of support is a lofty 83 percent, easily a public mandate.
Support from Marin voters, according to the poll, is 71 percent - up sharply from the election results in 2006.
Although the SMART board voted in 2006 to
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
commit itself to return to the ballot this year, it must make a formal declaration in the coming months.
SMART's opponents can raise doubts about the poll results. The pulse of the voters is not being taken during the heat of a political campaign.
But SMART's backers can make a similar case for the veracity of the numbers by arguing that pro-train forces have done little to promote their cause.
What the numbers likely reflect is a growing awareness among voters that there has to be another option to get up and down the congested Highway 101 corridor beside driving gas-guzzling, pollution-spewing cars and SUVs.
As gas prices keep climbing - can $6 for a gallon be far away? - and awareness grows about the urgent need to combat climate change, a passenger train is making more sense to more people.
SMART leaders still need to make a case to voters about changes that will make the train more "green" and more convenient for potential riders. The agency still has to make a stronger case to voters in Novato and San Rafael that passengers trains would be an asset rather than a headache.
But gas prices and concern about global warming appear to be adding up to a decided political advantage for a SMART ballot measure.
At the same time, the SMART sales tax increase - even if it is just a quarter of a cent - comes at a time of great economic uncertainty.
SMART came close last time and should be able to make an even stronger case that it's worth it; that the train can be an effective and environmentally friendly way to commute for those searching for a viable alternative to using their own car.
