Funding for Red/Purple Line expansion (sales, house, buy)

[wrcousert]

Measure R has passed, but very little of it is specifically designated for subway expansion.

Would you be willing to accept a modest sales tax increase (say .1% to .25%) if 100% of the revenue went to expansion of the Red and Purple lines, or to create additional subway lines?

[munchitup]

Yes - though I don't think it is necessary. If the feds would get their act together, federal funding is there (set aside in both the Senate's bi-partisan transport bill and Obama's more pie-in-the-sky budget). But as usual, the House is F-ing everything up.

[1200RT]

Short answer - no. We pay enough taxes in CA already.

If you're truly talking about a .1% increase, that surely could be procured from cutting excessive spending in other areas.

[bhcompy]

As a southeastern LA County resident, no, since Measure R didn't do crap for SE LAC and this proposal won't, either. Tired of being neglected while paying taxes... if it goes up again it will just mean more people shopping in OC for big budget items to avoid the taxes

[wrcousert]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

if it goes up again it will just mean more people shopping in OC for big budget items to avoid the taxes

A .1% increase is only $1.00 on a $1,000 purchase. Would you bother to waste the time and gas to save a buck or two? In most cases, the gas would cost more than any savings.

[LABornandRaised]

The redline should go at least one stop further north to Valley Plaza (one and only smart idea from Tom LaBonge) to make it more enticing to developers. It's clearly turned around (or enhanced) most of the stops along the redline. Definitely would pay additional tax dollars if the Valley got some share of it.

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by wrcousert

A .1% increase is only $1.00 on a $1,000 purchase. Would you bother to waste the time and gas to save a buck or two? In most cases, the gas would cost more than any savings.

Thats not the point. We are already excessively taxed. It makes little sense to raise taxes when the Gov cannot prove that it can spend wisely with what they are already given.

[wrcousert]

Originally Posted by 1200RT

Thats not the point. We are already excessively taxed. It makes little sense to raise taxes when the Gov cannot prove that it can spend wisely with what they are already given.

Can you think of a better way to raise a few billion dollars for a regional subway system?

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by wrcousert

Can you think of a better way to raise a few billion dollars for a regional subway system?

No.

But ... if you can't afford it, don't build it.

[Cellar-door]

Originally Posted by 1200RT

No.

But ... if you can't afford it, don't build it.

Which just means more people on the road, which means more frequent need for road and bridge repairs and the money gets spent anyway.
Sales tax is the best way to pay for it since it will also take in money from all the tourists and other non-LA natives who buy in LA.