San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Slam brakes on runaway VIA proposal
It is past time to stop this runaway VIA bus. In recent weeks VIA Metropolitan Transit warned the public of dire budget projections, only to have those numbers challenged by city officials. Now its board is pushing forward with a planned November vote to seize a sales tax, a move that would undercut workforce development and a burgeoning effort to use these funds to address income inequality, poverty and education gaps.
We have long supported boosting public transit in this city, but we oppose this push forward by VIA. It is the wrong move at the wrong time, lacking political and community buy-in. It is coming at a time when local leaders have rallied around workforce training and development, and when there remains widespread support for Edwards Aquifer protection and completing the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails System, for which these sales tax dollars are presently dedicated.
The community deserves a better conversation and a bigger vision about how these funds will be spent in this COVID moment and the recovery that will follow.
While it is true public transit has been historically underfunded in this city, the COVID-19 pandemic requires new thinking. For that reason, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff sidelined their own signature initiative, ConnectSA, and the vision of shifting Edwards Aquifer sales tax dollars to improving public transit.
We liked some of that plan, mostly the possibility of a rapid transit line that would run from San Antonio’s North Side to the far South Side. Again, though, this was before the pandemic and the sight of thousands of people lining up for Food Bank distributions — in their vehicles, mind you. The pandemic has changed the conversation and made clear other priorities.
VIA also has not been particularly clear about its budget. At one point VIA President and CEO Jeff Arndt had projected a budget deficit of $126.2 million over five years and a drastic cut in service due to the recession caused by this pandemic. This was despite $92.3 million in CARES Act funding. VIA officials asserted the sales tax dollars, which won’t be available until next calendar year, were necessary to maintain basic service.
But this projection did not account for about $10 million a year from the city’s general fund, and VIA made worst-case assumptions about sales tax revenue. As City Manager Erik Walsh wrote in a June 22 memo, after reviewing VIA’s financial projections and speaking with Arndt, “I would conclude that the drastic reductions presented to Council Offices on Thursday will not have to occur.”
How, then, will VIA use these additional sales tax dollars?
A recent presentation alludes to planning for advanced rapid transit, bike- share and ride-share possibilities; and it places a heavy emphasis on suburban service outside Loop 410. But it’s also vague.
Far more compelling is the idea of investing in people. That’s why, in June, we supported a COPS/ Metro Alliance plan to invest $80 million in workforce development. With those funds the goal is to train 10,000 people for new jobs, particularly in health care and information technology. Program recipients will receive a weekly stipend of $450 — $15 an hour for 30 hours in a week — to help pay the rent, and cover groceries and other essentials.
In this city plan, which mirrors a county effort, we see the potential template for a program sustained with sales tax dollars. Such a program could be coupled with clear indicators related to poverty reduction and workforce growth in key sectors. Before the pandemic, census data showed San Antonio was the poorest big city in the country. Here is an opportunity to change lives.
That said, let’s also not lose sight of Edwards Aquifer protection and completing the greenway trail system. Those are popular programs, and the tainting of the Trinity Aquifer raises concerns about water security. Whether through sales tax or another source, funding has to continue for these efforts.
In moving forward with a November vote, VIA is going against Nirenberg and Wolff, undermining workforce development and complicating the future of aquifer protection. This is not the right way to build political consensus or community support, and we worry it will undermine VIA in the future. Please, hit the brakes on this effort.
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