Measure R Replaces Recently Raped Transit Funds

Over the next several days I will continue posting excerpts from the minutes (which are not yet available on-line, but when they are can be found here) from the Metro Executive Management and Audit Committee meeting that took place on the morning of 20 November.

Toward the end of the first round, Mayor Tony V called for the state report. This is the responce from the unidentified bureaucrat (whose name may have been David):

"Mr. Chairman, members, on the state budget is the main update I wanted to provide.

"On November 6th, Gov. Schwarzenegger called the legislature into special session and proposed a November budget revision.

"The most troubling part of the governor's proposal, however, for transportation, is the governor's proposing to remove the remaining $300 million from the State Transit Assistance Account through the budget year, and to permanently eliminate the State Transit Assistance Account ."

Then Don Knabe piped up to talk about state transit funds being previously "raped" to balance the budget:

"The point being, like so many other cases, where we try to do something here in the county, as it relates to social issues [the state] thinks that because we've got other revenues that we've voted on to do, then they take money out the back end. They say, 'Well, you've got Measure R dollars.' It's not that Measure R [funds] won't stay here, it's that they'll draw down on other dollars because the voters approved Measure R and we're right back where we started."

I hate to state I told you so, especially when I rely on Metro and have made clear the bleeding obvious.

-BusTard

Comments

[calwatch]

While true, at least the Measure R dollars will maintain existing service. The state is cutting State Transit Assistance statewide, for all transit agencies. So whether you are Sacramento (which with this latest round of state cuts, is jacking up monthly passes to $100 and was seriously considering dumping all weekend service), Orange County, San Francisco, or Fresno, you are losing the money. Some of the mid sized agencies in the Central Valley and Inland Empire are likely to see all weekend and/or evening service slashed. As long as LA is not losing anything SOLELY because of Measure R, you can't blame the state removing transit funds on Measure R.

[writer]

Calwatch:

Is neither a pull quote nor the common copy enough? OK: "It's not that Measure R [funds] won't stay here, it's that they'll draw down on other dollars because the voters approved Measure R and we're right back where we started." Don Knabe on the coming financial fiasco regarding Measure R and the State Transit Assistance Fund. I have it on tape, if you wish to continue this waste of time.

I believe that Don Knabe made it VERY clear that L.A. is indeed losing funds "SOLELY because of Measure R funds." While I blamed Measure R on the forthcoming fiasco, I were far from responsible for know the budget woes. Talk to David, Roger, Tony, Zev and Don about that. I have it all on record.

You can argue me, but you know where to find Don Knabe and tell him he is wrong for what he stated.

Now let me ask you: do you work for Metro? Let's not be a little bit full of bullshit, my friend.

-BusTard

[calwatch]

Please upload the tape then, and the entire discussion. Context is important, and I don't think there is any. Don Knabe is not known for being one of the more clueful members of the MTA board, plus he was against Measure R, so he is going to spin things his way. Duh.

And no, I don't work for Metro, nor do I serve on any advisory or governance council. Why can't the general public support an agency without having his opinions called bullshit? What the fuck is that about?

[writer]

"And no, I don't work for Metro, nor do I serve on any advisory or governance council. Why can't the general public support an agency without having his opinions called bullshit? What the fuck is that about?" Calwatch.

The Expo Authority doesn't work for Metro either...lol...ok moving away from that. Why do occasionally we at The Bus Bench doubt your authenticity.

One. Even Kymberleigh Metro's number one cheerleader calls you bullshit occasionally and she loves METRO. To me Kym is as far you can go without me thinking something is up.

Two. Who the hell are you? I mean seriously. You start writing on MetroriderLA under this fake name and we can't even look you up. You don't have blog you don't have anything. To me that looks suspicious. Also you come across like a one of those people who have a job tricking people in the new media by acting like a common man. You don't seem that common to me. We're talking about public transit here not overthrowing the gov't, so what's the fake name about and if you want to keep a low profile why hop on board a high profile blog.

Three. You claim to take the bus. Now anyone who takes the bus in LA and then gives these glowing reviews and is really positive about the whole experience is:

a. retarded
b. a masochist
c. getting paid

Now see CalWatch if you view it that way we're actually giving you a compliment. We don't think you are a sexual deviant, we don't think you are retarded, but possibly you are getting paid by something or someone, because I can't understand why you think Metro is kind of ok even a little in the bus arena. Trains ok, but you don't take the train. If you really took the bus on a regular basis like you claim you do there is no way I'm buying that you think it's completely ok OR there is no way I'm buying you are a regular bus user.

I'll wait for BusTard to decide whether or not to upload the entire audio.

Browne

[writer]

CalWatch,
feel free to get the minutes when they become available. The link is in the post. I won't waste my time to please you with rendering the audio.

And since you seem to imply I am lying, here is some advice: Don't be a schmuck.

Now, as the other board members agreed with Knabe on this, and the Governator has indeed done what I quoted in the post, what is your problem? Surely you do not think I am responsible for the problem, nor am I taking out of context what is clearly been stated.

Finally, you might want to grow a bit of thick skin if you are going to quarrel with people in a public forum, especially when you make such implicit accusations as you have done. Is not anonymity enough for your fragile little self?

[calwatch]

Yes, and calling people's opinions "bullshit" without any facts, or selective pull quotes (they don't take minutes of the committee meetings, in case you haven't noticed, so the statement "look at the minutes" is bullshit). EMAC is not the whole board. It is the number of people on EMAC.

We've met in person before. I know, Randall, you wouldn't use that language in front of me in person. So why all the crap online? Harassing people with different opinions is your right, but don't be mad when someone calls you on it. I have a long history online under this user name, and enough people have figured out who I am so I don't have to explain myself further. Suffice it to say that I don't work for Metro, or any transit agency anywhere in the world.

[writer]

CalWatch,

Apparently you like to talk shit under cover of your "CalWatch" nome de plume in the very manner you wrongly accuse me regarding the way I have always talked whether in person, via correspondence or on-line. Believing I am "mad about it" only corroborates my own statement.

As for the minutes, I was under the impression that the link I provided had the minutes. How did you know that minutes at that meeting are not taken?

I will make a deal: you stop hiding behind your Internet mask and I will post the entire recording of the first part (1 hour, 8 minutes) of the EMAC meeting to which this post refers.