Saturday, October 25, 2003
What Props. 200, 201 would do
Tucsonans on Nov. 4 will vote on two propositions that call for significant investments in mass transit during the next 20 years.
Under Proposition 200, the regular sales tax within city limits would be increased from 7.6 to 7.9 percent.
The construction sales tax in the city would go from 7.6 percent to 11.6 percent. Since contractors get a discount for labor costs, the effective tax rate would be 7.54 percent. The tax would apply to contractors doing jobs within city limits.
Citizens for a Sensible Transportation Solution expects that up to $59.8 million a year would be generated from the higher taxes and extra fare-box revenue from passengers.
Proposition 201 outlines how the money should be spent. It would:
* Expand Sun Tran and Van Tran, create a 47-mile express bus system: 40 percent.
* Build a 13-mile light-rail line: 22 percent.
* Increase street maintenance: 20 percent.
* Build sidewalks and bike paths: 10 percent.
* Extend Old Pueblo Trolley line to Rio Nuevo: 6 percent.
* Add traffic-law enforcement: 2 percent.
For more information about the transportation plan, visit www.savetucson.org
