RTD says you want to pay more for FasTracks
January 27th, 2009
Yesterday RTD released the results of a survey in which it said that a majority of respondents are willing to pay up to double the current tax for TaxTracks / FasTracks. Of 700 likely voters, the district survey claims that 64% either strongly support or somewhat support the tax increase that would allow RTD to complete the boondoggle by the originally planned 2017 date.
The survey says that 66% of the respondents voted for FasTracks when it was originally approved by voters in 2004. Interesting enough, the measure only passed with a 57% ‘yes’ vote. That 9% difference shows that respondents already predisposed to approving of the project are grossly overrepresented. I am no statistician but common sense tells you that the math doesn’t add up and the numbers in this survey are skewed in RTD’s favor.
As I sit here looking at the numbers, some things really stand out:
- Respondents in the north area had a much lower favorable opinion of RTD as residents of Adams, Broomfield and Boulder Counties had the lowest opinion of the seven counties in the district. No surprise there. Adams County was the only county to vote against FasTracks to begin with and it has been apparent that the north area was going to get shortchanged by the boondoggle in recent years.
- The primary reason survey takers had for a positive opinion of FasTracks was because it would alleviate traffic problems. Sadly, by RTDs own numbers, alleviating traffic will not happen at all with FasTracks. Obviously voters are ignorant of this fact.
- 68% supposedly have a ‘fair amount’ or ‘great deal of confidence’ in RTD to complete the FasTracks plan that voters approved. That is an absolutely bizarre response considering that RTD cannot complete the project we approved and that has already been established. Voters approved a $4.7 billion project for complete build out. The project cannot be completed at that price – period. Again, are voters paying any attention?
- Speaking to the fact voters aren’t fully aware of the issues with the project, a mere 18% said they were very familiar with the project’s budget issues and an additional 38% were somewhat familiar. This means that more than 50% of the survey takers were not familiar with the significant budget issues the project has experienced – proof that voters aren’t paying attention.
- Adams County respondents once again appear to be the only ones strong enough to oppose any additional tax increase. Only 48% in the county felt it was a ‘good idea’ to increase taxes in order to achieve complete built out by the promised 2017 date.
Taking into account what I say in the second paragraph above, I am likely to agree with what Jon Caldera of the Independence Institute said yesterday – “I am certain those numbers are just as accurate as RTD’s original projections for FasTracks’ cost and revenues. There’s just no way. Just how inebriated do they think we are?”
More on the TaxTracks survey:
The Rocky: Poll: Sales tax hike backed for FasTracks
The Denver Post: FasTracks tax hike has supporters
RTD FasTracks Regional Survey 2009
