Comments on: Metro Audit Finds $105m in Reserves; Gov Explains Veto http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/ Transit in the Greater Seattle Area Fri, 25 May 2012 09:05:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Important Bills this Session - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-98689 Important Bills this Session - Seattle Transit Blog Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:16:05 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-98689 [...] 2855 would restore the $20 vehicle license fee for transit that Governor Gregoire vetoed last session.  Since this already passed the legislature last year, you have to like its chances [...]
[...] 2855 would restore the $20 vehicle license fee for transit that Governor Gregoire vetoed last session.  Since this already passed the legislature last year, you have to like its chances [...]

]]> By: King County Enacts Transportation Benefit District - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-94787 King County Enacts Transportation Benefit District - Seattle Transit Blog Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:02:08 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-94787 [...] County Enacts Transportation Benefit District by Martin H. Duke One of the reasons that Gov. Gregoire vetoed a $20 vehicle license fee for transit last year was that counties already could create [...]
[...] County Enacts Transportation Benefit District by Martin H. Duke One of the reasons that Gov. Gregoire vetoed a $20 vehicle license fee for transit last year was that counties already could create [...]

]]> By: Metro Audit Results - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-65560 Metro Audit Results - Seattle Transit Blog Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:13:34 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-65560 [...] was also a rehash of the $105m one-time fleet replacement surplus.  The final installment of the audit report, to include more details on the Auditor’s fare [...]
[...] was also a rehash of the $105m one-time fleet replacement surplus.  The final installment of the audit report, to include more details on the Auditor’s fare [...]

]]> By: Metro to Fund RapidRide with No Net Tax Increase - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-57319 Metro to Fund RapidRide with No Net Tax Increase - Seattle Transit Blog Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:29:07 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-57319 [...] of assessed value for public transit. The legislature also allowed for enactment of an MVET, but the Governor vetoed that portion of the [...]
[...] of assessed value for public transit. The legislature also allowed for enactment of an MVET, but the Governor vetoed that portion of the [...]

]]> By: Metro Financial Policies - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-53792 Metro Financial Policies - Seattle Transit Blog Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:17:25 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-53792 [...] much-publicized $105m Revenue Fleet Replacement Sub-fund surplus could fund Metro’s deficit through the end [...]
[...] much-publicized $105m Revenue Fleet Replacement Sub-fund surplus could fund Metro’s deficit through the end [...]

]]> By: Metro Presents Service Cut Planning Strategies - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-50986 Metro Presents Service Cut Planning Strategies - Seattle Transit Blog Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:00:19 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-50986 [...] Thanks Governor Gregoire! [...]
[...] Thanks Governor Gregoire! [...]

]]> By: 53 days - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-47034 53 days - Seattle Transit Blog Mon, 25 May 2009 17:09:51 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-47034 [...] get things down around here. Consider just how many “cities” are around here when the Governor tries to explain her veto of potential transit funding from last [...]
[...] get things down around here. Consider just how many “cities” are around here when the Governor tries to explain her veto of potential transit funding from last [...]

]]> By: Creative Ideas for Metro Funding - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-46536 Creative Ideas for Metro Funding - Seattle Transit Blog Fri, 22 May 2009 06:15:54 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-46536 [...] gap a lot, for backround, here’s a story on the gap, here’s a story on one way to cover a portion of it, here’s a story about how scary it is for bus riders, here’s a story about [...]
[...] gap a lot, for backround, here’s a story on the gap, here’s a story on one way to cover a portion of it, here’s a story about how scary it is for bus riders, here’s a story about [...]

]]> By: Michael http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-46324 Michael Thu, 21 May 2009 04:53:30 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-46324 The governor did not "figure this out." It is a bogus justification. If there was any interest in helping transit, then King County's MVET for transit idea (as mitigation for the Seattle viaduct/tunnel)would have been embraced rather than considered DOA.
The governor did not “figure this out.” It is a bogus justification. If there was any interest in helping transit, then King County’s MVET for transit idea (as mitigation for the Seattle viaduct/tunnel)would have been embraced rather than considered DOA.

]]> By: Jon Morgan http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-46256 Jon Morgan Wed, 20 May 2009 23:21:27 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-46256 Yes, WA has no term limits. Word is she'll retire though, thank god.
Yes, WA has no term limits. Word is she’ll retire though, thank god.

]]> By: geekgirl http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-46251 geekgirl Wed, 20 May 2009 22:55:54 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-46251 So why is the governor the first person to figure this out? If we had known, maybe we could have instead passed a law that amended the existing taxing authority to make it easier to access or something.
So why is the governor the first person to figure this out? If we had known, maybe we could have instead passed a law that amended the existing taxing authority to make it easier to access or something.

]]> By: Erik http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-46231 Erik Wed, 20 May 2009 21:23:47 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-46231 I forget, can Gregoire run again for another term? Sometimes, I wonder if Rossi would have been a better Executive.
I forget, can Gregoire run again for another term? Sometimes, I wonder if Rossi would have been a better Executive.

]]> By: Leah Zoppi http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-46219 Leah Zoppi Wed, 20 May 2009 20:25:23 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-46219 I want to clarify that this wouldn't be taking money away from fleet replacement. Metro's fleet replacement funds will still be fully funded on an annual basis, with a $95 million fund balance remaining in the account as a reserve if the $105 million in excess fund balance is transferred out. No one is trying to rob Peter to pay Paul here. It's more a case of realizing, wait we've been overpaying Peter for so long that he's got $105 million extra sitting in his piggy bank and meanwhile Paul is coming up short. Leah Zoppi, legislative aide to King County Councilmember Larry Phillips
I want to clarify that this wouldn’t be taking money away from fleet replacement. Metro’s fleet replacement funds will still be fully funded on an annual basis, with a $95 million fund balance remaining in the account as a reserve if the $105 million in excess fund balance is transferred out. No one is trying to rob Peter to pay Paul here. It’s more a case of realizing, wait we’ve been overpaying Peter for so long that he’s got $105 million extra sitting in his piggy bank and meanwhile Paul is coming up short.

Leah Zoppi, legislative aide to King County Councilmember Larry Phillips

]]> By: april http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-46198 april Wed, 20 May 2009 18:05:35 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-46198 The reality is that there have only been 9 TBDs set up thus far. While I haven't read all of the 9's implementing regs, I don't think any of them have given any money to transit. So TBD's brief history tells us and likely predicts that few (if any) local govs that go through the hassle of setting up a TBD would prioritize transit in the future. Any why would they - local govs need money too. And TBDs are one of the few funding authorities they have. We shouldn't be pitting cities and counties against transit in their extremely legitimate demands for increased revenue options. That's what this existing authority does.
The reality is that there have only been 9 TBDs set up thus far. While I haven’t read all of the 9′s implementing regs, I don’t think any of them have given any money to transit. So TBD’s brief history tells us and likely predicts that few (if any) local govs that go through the hassle of setting up a TBD would prioritize transit in the future. Any why would they – local govs need money too. And TBDs are one of the few funding authorities they have.

We shouldn’t be pitting cities and counties against transit in their extremely legitimate demands for increased revenue options. That’s what this existing authority does.

]]> By: TransitMama http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-46193 TransitMama Wed, 20 May 2009 17:57:12 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-46193 Taking funds from fleet replacement concerns me. After 2 years riding in Seattle, I was on my first bus that had to be put out of service mid-route due to a maintainance issue about a month ago. Since then, I have passed two buses sitting on the side of the road with orange hazards behind them. Hopefully this is just coincidence.
Taking funds from fleet replacement concerns me. After 2 years riding in Seattle, I was on my first bus that had to be put out of service mid-route due to a maintainance issue about a month ago. Since then, I have passed two buses sitting on the side of the road with orange hazards behind them. Hopefully this is just coincidence.

]]> By: AJ http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-46166 AJ Wed, 20 May 2009 15:27:43 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-46166 Whew, that was a close one. It even had Rep. Eddy scratching her head for a second. I have a feeling the Governor sometimes operates in a space where she's dealt with some of these questions before as AG but is probably so tied into that mindset she probably isn't prone to explaining them outright since it probably seems pretty obvious to her. The "well, it just is" sorta mindset, where she's probably right but it'd be good if she explained it to some extent.
Whew, that was a close one. It even had Rep. Eddy scratching her head for a second.

I have a feeling the Governor sometimes operates in a space where she’s dealt with some of these questions before as AG but is probably so tied into that mindset she probably isn’t prone to explaining them outright since it probably seems pretty obvious to her. The “well, it just is” sorta mindset, where she’s probably right but it’d be good if she explained it to some extent.

]]> By: Andrew Smith http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/05/20/metro-audit-finds-105m-in-reserves-gov-explains-veto/#comment-46163 Andrew Smith Wed, 20 May 2009 15:03:32 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=5308#comment-46163 I had no idea that taxing authority existed for counties, but yeah, it's obvious that King County would never be able to pass that car-tab-for-transit thing.
I had no idea that taxing authority existed for counties, but yeah, it’s obvious that King County would never be able to pass that car-tab-for-transit thing.

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