Hi, This year, rather than issuing simple yes/no endorsements of propositions, I'd like to include language explaining our endorsement, which we can put on our web site or (if we're well organized) into a newspaper like the Alameda Greens produce. Here's my proposed language for the MTA props. Please send any concerns and amendments to the language. Also, there has been a suggestion that we ask both McGoldrick and Peskin to hold off introducing these until next year. If they're on the February (Primary) ballot, turnout will be higher and probably more progressive. What do others think of this strategy? Prop X (McGoldrick): YES Prop X would allow the Board of Supervisors and Controller to have more oversight of the MTA, the board of directors that runs MUNI and the Department of Parking and Traffic. Currently, the MTA is entirely appointed by the Mayor, and produces an anual budget that may include changes in service, MUNI fares, and parking rates. The Board of Supervisors may not modify this budget, and can only reject it by a 2/3 supermajority vote. In other City departments, the Board approves the budget by simple majority vote, and may make changes so long as the overall budget remains balanced. If Prop X passes, the Board of Supervisors would have the same authority over the MTA budget as they do over the proposed budgets of other City departments. This would give Supervisors the ability to respond to their constituents' concerns about proposed route changes or fare increases, by re-allocating money from other parts of the City budget. Prop X also gives the Controller the responsibility for negotiating contracts to evaluate the quality of MTA service. These contracts are currently negotiated by the MTA itself, so Prop X would allow a more independent and unbiased review. The SF Green Party encourages voters to vote YES on Prop X, as it would allow more independent oversight over the MTA, and more grassroots input into MUNI fare and service changes. Prop Y (Peskin): YES The MTA is a mayor-appointed board of directors that runs MUNI and the Department of Parking and Traffic. Their major functions include approving changes to MUNI service, fares, and parking rates in public garages. Prop Y will make a variety of changes to the MTA, described below: The most significant change is that all future increases in parking revenue (from meters, public garages, and parking tickets) will go to MUNI, rather than the current requirement that 50% be returned to the General Fund for other uses. This change would be an important increase in funding for public transit. The MTA would also be given more responsibility for installation of stop signs and traffic signals, which would allow them to install transit priority signals to allow buses and trains to move faster. This is a policy the SF Green Party has advocated for several years in the Transportation plank of our platform. Prop Y makes two major changes to MUNI salaries. Currently, the transit operators' wage scale is capped at the average of the two highest transit operators' wage scales at other major transit systems in the US. Under Prop Y, the operators' minimum salary would be calculated using this method (i.e., the salary cap would become a salary floor). Prop Y would also change managers' pay: at least 10% of the pay for the MUNI director and managers would be contingent on meeting service standards set by the MTA board. The SF Green Party has some concerns that the minimum salary for operators would leave little room for negotiating work rules and benefits, but we agree with linking managers' pay to performance. Finally, Prop Y would require the MTA to set goals to cut carbon emissions, by reducing private car trips and increasing bicycling. This provision is largely symbolic, as nothing in the measure would directly help to accomplish either goal. The SF Green Party encourages voters to vote YES on Prop Y, as directing increased parking revenues for the MUNI represents an important long-term investment in public transit, and because transit priority signals are one necessary condition for efficient MUNI service. JMC -- John-Marc Chandonia (jmc@sfgreens.org) http://sfgreens.org/