Glazer, Baker and local officials tell BART, unions to take specific steps before they’ll support tax increase
In keeping with his opposition to BART strikes, and what he claims is financial mismanagement and security lapses, State Senator Steve Glazer was joined by Assemblywoman Catharine Baker and local elected officials at a news conference on Wednesday, February 3 at the Walnut Creek BART station, to announce their potential opposition to any new BART taxes – including BART’s multi-billion dollar bond proposal – until it takes specific action steps.
Glazer and Baker were joined by mayors and council members representing 11 cities in Contra Costa and Alameda counties, leaders who have signed the appeal to BART management and unions.
“BART has a lot of work to do before it can earn the trust of voters in November to pay for new taxes,” Glazer said. “We do need to invest in our worn down transportation system so it can serve the hundreds of thousands who depend on it for work, school and recreational pursuits.”
“But we cannot reward bad behavior with more and more taxes. BART has eight months until the election to restore the public trust,” he continued. “There is a pathway to a successful reinvestment in the BART system. But it will require thoughtful leadership from BART management and their unions. Time is running out.”
The letter, which can be seen in its entirety, below, stated:
“We, the undersigned, have serious concerns about a potential multi-billion dollar BART bond that we understand the BART Board of Directors is considering for the November 2016 ballot. Convincing two-thirds of Bay Area voters to agree to a tax increase is already an uphill fight. But the 2013 strike, drawn-out contract negotiations, and wage concessions for workers and management also severely damaged voters’ trust in BART.
To regain that trust and the voters’ support of new taxes, we implore you to negotiate – before the 2016 elections – a new contract that takes into account the dire fiscal needs of the system and ensures that trains keep running on schedule.”
No member of the Antioch City Council signed the letter.
the attachments to this post:
The entire Antioch City Council should have signed on to this. Every single one of them. Remember voters, November isn’t far away and we can elect 3 new council members. If we had qualified candidates that is. We don’t so far.
And why should voters in San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa counties be footing the proposed $300 million BART tax measure to purchase new trains that will be running in San Mateo and soon, Santa Clara Counties?????