WTA Seeks Levy Increase from Voters

This spring, on April 27th , a levy will go before Whatcom County voters in WTA’s service area, requesting a sales tax increase of 0.2% (2 cents for every 10 dollars) to help WTA maintain their current level of service in the face of budget shortfalls due to the reduction of sales tax revenues. WTA staff has already reduced expenditures as much as possible by delaying capital purchases, deferring technology, and cutting program costs for advertising, professsional services, etc. However facing a $2.5 million annual shortfall, WTA is asking voters to chip in to cover the deficit, which would prevent dramatic cuts in service and the laying off of dozens of employees.

Should the levy pass, current levels of service will be maintained and no staff members will be laid off. All of the progress WTA has achieved over the last decade, including the extremely successful “Go Lines,” will be preserved. However, if the levy fails, WTA will have no choice but to cut service: 9% this year and 32% over the coming two years. This will mean no Sunday service at all, limited evening runs and reduced breadth of coverage, which will only shift more of a burden onto the Federally-mandated paratransit system.

As Democrats, we value the role that public transit plays in our lives: environmentally and socially. Offering all citizens a viable alternative to the single-occupancy vehicle is laudable but there is also the ability to allow young people, seniors, those who can’t afford a car or fuel prices—and all others who don’t drive—the chance for autonomy, to participate in the work force and our community, and to support themselves. To deny a grandmother her ability to visit the grocery store on Sunday, or a teenager a way to get to his first job, or a blind person who cannot drive in a reliable manner to get around is to limit their freedom and their ability to contribute to the world.

Maintaining our current level of service is a crucial social justice issue, and it is going before the voters in a tough economic time, so we ask the Whatcom County Democrats for their endorsement, because there are so many people out there relying on the outcome of this levy. Thank you so much for your consideration!

For more information, to contribute to the campaign, or to volunteer, please contact Jason Heck at (360) 220-5914, or at Jason.b.heck@gmail.com. We could use all the help we can get, and are always looking for yard sign locations, sign captains, doorbellers, phone bankers, letter-to-the-editor writers and house party hosts!