RTA: Vote yes on 1, 3 & 4; No on 2. Vote May 16

UPDATE, May 16, 10pm: All four issues passed today. DRP

TUCSON -- I voted early by mail today in Pima County in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTA) and mental health election.

Here's how I voted:

Yes on 1, 3 and 4.

No on 2.

Yes on question one: I like enough of the RTA plan to vote yes for it -- urban streetcar, wildlife improvements, transit boost -- but there are a lot of problems with it still, especially too much emphasis and money for road widenings, new roads like the western expansion of Aviation Hwy. boondoggle, and other pavement expansions.

Road widenings will harm quality-of-life and not solve anything. The expanded roads will simply displace homes and businesses, and the extra lanes will fill up with cars right away.

People need to get out of their cars more, and this RTA plan simply won't do it.

No on question two: I cannot support the sales tax funding approach for the RTA plan. It simply isn't fair and will harm poor people more.

Developers and/or gas tax should be paying for the plan and saying no to the sales tax will help make it happen.

I hope Steve Farley gets in to the State House and battles it out for proper funding of transportation. But say no to this unfair tax.

Yes on 3 & 4: We need better mental health care in Pima County, not more people in jails.

There you have my recommendations on how to vote in this important Pima County election. Yes on 1, 3 & 4. No on 2.

One more tip: if you don't like the traffic, carpool or ride a bike -- maybe even in combo with the bus. Tucson has great bike routes all over town.

Please vote.