MTA Hearing TODAY concerning Muni Budget

Apologies for the late announcement!

TODAY at 4 pm, the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) Board is
meeting to discuss the FY 2006 budget and proposals to eliminate an
estimated $55 million deficit. Fare increases and service cuts, as
well as increases in parking fees and fines, have been proposed.

Agenda details:
http://sfmuni.com/cms/brd/mta/SFMuniMTAFebruary12005agenda.htm

Background:
http://www.rescuemuni.org/2006budget.html

Rescue Muni urges the MTA to consider all possible alternate sources of
revenue to reduce the need to raise fares and cut service. In
particular, we recommend that Muni NOW implement increases to maximize
revenue from:
- parking fees
- garage rates
- parking fines
- annual residential parking permit fee

These will help reduce the deficit, though they are NOT enough to close
the budget gap by themselves. We also support the following
longer-term revenue proposals, which will not close the gap this year
but may help in future years. Note that some require changes in state
law:
- increased parking tax
- local vehicle license fee (possibly with overweight vehicle surcharge
for heavy SUVs)

Rescue Muni also OPPOSES some proposed changes to Muni fare policies.
These include:
- eliminating or charging for transfers
- eliminating the Fast Pass on BART
- charging for express service

WE NEED YOU to speak or comment in favor of these revenue sources.
While some service cuts and/or a fare increase are probably
unavoidable, because the voters rejected last fall's tax measures, they
will be MUCH WORSE if the MTA is not able to increase parking revenue.
If possible, please attend today's hearing:

MTA Board of Directors
City Hall, Room 400
4 pm (hearing starts after closed session)

Alternatively, you can send your comments to Board Secretary Roberta
Boomer at roberta_boomer [at] sfgov.org. She will forward your comments to
MTA Board members. You can also email Executive Director Michael Burns
via Muni's website:
http://sfmuni.com/cms/mms/contact/formgm.htm

Finally, Rescue Muni is holding its next General Meeting on this
subject on Wednesday, February 16, at 6 pm at SPUR (312 Sutter,
*fourth* floor). Further details to come on http://www.rescuemuni.org.

Thanks,

Andrew Sullivan
Chair, Rescue Muni