Why not let the people decide on transit tax?

There are many questions to be answered and factors to be considered when it comes to voting for a proposed 2/10ths of 1 percent sales tax increase to help fund Spokane Transit Authority projects and operations.

For starters, if one does some simple math, STA serves just 5 percent of the county’s population. Why should the other 95 percent subsidize mass transit usage by a small number of people?

One answer might be that if there was an efficient, well-funded transit system in place, more people might use it, thereby taking vehicles off our well-worn roads. Another answer is businesses looking at locating in an area often look at how good that region’s transit system is, so that they can be relatively assured their employees will be able to get to work.

Another question centers on one of the projects funded by the ballot measure — the city of Spokane’s Central City Line, which would consist of trolleys making limited stops on a line running from Browne’s Addition east to Spokane Community College.

Opponents of the measure again ask why the rest of the county should pay for a service that will likely be used mostly by Spokane residents. STA money could also be better spent paying for new buses, either as replacements or additions needed to maintain the quality of service on existing routes, offer more service on existing routes or expanding routes to new areas.

Proponents of the measure note there is federal and state funding to pay for building the line, while the sales tax increase would provide around $4 million annually to operate it. If that money isn’t available the federal and state funding goes away, likely for a long time.

But the aspect of ridership is a good point made by both sides. According to STA statistics, 77.59 percent of average weekday bus boardings take place in Spokane — 30,844.

Second is Spokane Valley at 12.07 percent (4,796), third is Cheney at 2.11 percent (2,306), Airway Heights fifth at 0.93 percent (465) and Medical Lake seventh at 0.27 percent (107). A good chunk of Spokane’s boardings are individuals traveling from one point to another within the city, and while that is probably true with boardings in Spokane Valley and Cheney, there are likely a fair number who are boarding to travel to Spokane (for work or school?) and perhaps even beyond.

Again, these are just some of the questions and issues that need to be answered regarding STA’s proposed tax measure, and they need to be addressed and answered by those the increase would affect the most — the voters of Spokane County. With that in mind, we pose another question.

Why is it that half of the STA Board of Directors continues to vote against allowing the measure to be put on an upcoming ballot? A previous measure in April 2015 went down to defeat, after a recount, by about 500 votes.

Spokane, Cheney and Airway Heights were cities where the measure passed while Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and unincorporated county voters cast ballots against. That measure was for 3/10ths of 1 percent sales tax increase; this one is for less.

There could be consequences for not letting voters have their say — again. One is that Spokane’s City Council recently approved a measure it might take to hold its own vote within the city to fund improvements within city limits, including the Central City Line.

That could shutout the rest of the county from getting any transit improvements, including a proposed West Plains Transfer Center at the Interstate 90 Medical Lake interchange that could improve connectivity not only between the West Plains and Spokane, but also between West Plains cities.

Many consequences indeed, but why should these be left up to a handful of appointed individuals with their own motives and agenda. The answer is, it shouldn’t.

Come on STA board members. Let the people decide.