BizFed goes for Measure R
Another group today jumped aboard the Measure R bandwagon. This time it's the Los Angeles County Business Federation, an umbrella group that says it represents businesses throughout the county.
Measure R asks voters to raise the sales tax by a half-cent in Los Angeles County to fund more mass transit and road projects. A state bill that would allow an election on Nov. 4 is sitting on the desk of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who says he isn't signing bills until the Legislature gives him a budget.
AAA and VICA have already said they support the measure. Maria Elena Durazo, the executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, has also spoken up for it publicly. So it's starting to appear that if the measure makes it onto the ballot officially, it's going to have quite a bit of support.
Press release is after the jump.
Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed) Supports Measure R to Ease Gridlock
LOS ANGELES – With Los Angeles County already mired in traffic gridlock, the Los Angeles County Business Federation’s Board of Directors has voted to back Measure R to increase the sales tax a half-cent to fund vitally needed transportation projects.
“Residents and businesses are losing billions of dollars a year because our transportation infrastructure is failing to keep pace with our growing population. Measure R is crucial to retaining and attracting new companies and jobs to the region, and ensuring traffic congestion does not sap our economic vitality and quality of life,” said BizFed Chairman, David Fleming.
From Santa Clarita to the South Bay, Santa Monica to Claremont, BizFed operates as a grass roots alliance of LA County business organizations. Members consist of large trade groups, Chambers of Commerce both large and small, as well as Business Improvement Districts and businesses with anywhere from one to tens of thousands of employees.
BizFed is encouraging its network of over 93,000 members to also support Measure R on the November 4 ballot, as expectations are Los Angeles County’s population will swell to more than 12 million in the next two decades and international trade growth could double truck traffic at the ports.
In a survey of BizFed members earlier this year, fixing the region’s transportation issues to reduce commuting time emerged as the top concern.
“This is one of the most pressing issues facing our county,” said Fleming. “Fixing traffic congestion takes a regional approach and Measure R is a key in funding projects across the county that will benefit the entire area economy.”
The American Automobile Association estimates traffic congestion currently costs the Los Angeles-Orange County economy $9.3 billion annually. Residents lose another $10.6 billion each year due to roadway collisions, which are a leading cause of congestion. And the national transportation research group TRIP says roads riddled with potholes cost the average Angeleno $778 a year in vehicle wear and tear.
Metro officials cite calculations by the private nonprofit Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. that Measure R would cost residents an average of $25 per person each year.
To ensure that money will be spent in LA County, Measure R calls for an annual independent audit and report to taxpayers, plus ongoing monitoring and review by an independent taxpayer oversight committee.
“While funding from Measure R will not fix all of the county’s traffic problem, or fund all of Metro’s long-term projects, doing nothing will just continue to delay all of the much-needed projects,” said Holly Schroeder CEO of the Building Industry Association and Chair of BizFed’s Advocacy Committee. “Doing nothing just stalls any progress to relieve congestion, even as it continues to worsen.”
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The Los Angeles County Business Federation acts as a grass roots alliance of existing business organizations whose goal is to effectively mobilize the collective voice of the Los Angeles business community. For more information please visit www.bizfed.org
