The Sound Transit propaganda machine is kicking into high gear to build public support for its latest tax-raising scheme – the $50 billion plan on this fall’s ballot called ST3. As part of pretending that the agency actually cares about what the public wants – now that its unelected bureaucrats have already decided behind closed doors how it can best satisfy its special interest backers – Sound Transit is holding a series of “open house” meetings this week to gather email addresses (what they call feedback).
The most interesting aspect of the “open house” meetings are the locations Sound Transit picked. Though ST3 will severely impact the taxes of people in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, three out of the seven meetings are going to be held in Seattle.
Perhaps that’s because Sound Transit realizes that it will have a less rational, and hence more friendly audience in Seattle, given that the ST3 plan puts the majority of its money into the city. Something tells us Sound Transit officials will receive far more “feedback” during its meetings outside Seattle.
All meetings will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 pm with presentations scheduled to begin at 6 pm. The only exception is a daytime meeting (11:30 am – 1:30 pm, presentation at noon} on April 28th in Seattle.
Here’s the schedule:
- April 19: Ballard High School (SEATTLE)
- April 21: Evergreen State College, Tacoma (TACOMA)
- April 25: Everett Station (EVERETT)
- April 26: West Seattle High School (WEST SEATTLE)
- April 27: Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center (REDMOND)
- April 28: Todd Beamer High School (FEDERAL WAY)
- April 28: Union Station (SEATTLE)
The timing of the meetings are also noteworthy, especially considering most people who might commute using Sound Transit – and certainly most of those who drive their car to work – won’t be able to make it to a 5:30 pm meeting after work.
Regardless of who shows up for the meetings, while Sound Transit may not find it difficult to sell its latest scam to tax-happy Seattle voters, it will likely face an uphill battle elsewhere. The fact is Sound Transit officials must convince voters to approve a 25-year, $50 billion plan that, given the agency’s track record, won’t be done on time or on budget.
Even more distressing to those footing the bill, the “plan” involves multiple taxes– a sales tax rate of 10% in much of the greater Seattle area and 10.1% in Seattle, a property tax increase of 25 cents per $1,000 valuation, an increase in car tab fees, and (adding insult to increase) the fact that these taxes will never end.
That’s quite a sell to voters paying attention … so it’s no wonder Sound Transit prefers to hold the majority of its open houses in Seattle, the land of socialist city council members and kayaktivists.
You can check out the transit agency’s “reminder” email below.
