The following is an effort to explain the complexities of the controversy behind the half-cent sales tax referendum.
We have been campaigning for the passing of the half-cent sales tax, because we believed it would pay for a Bus Rapid Transit system as well as other transit improvements. However, there are problems with the ordinance. There are also fears that the half-cent will be used as a slush-fund. Each of these issues are explained with links below. We will not knowingly mislead the public nor campaign for a slush fund. That is why we are focused on transparency and accountability now, and why we have provided this list of resources. The half-cent may still be the best bet we have to get a real, regional, rapid transit system in the Lowcountry. We are in negotiations with politicians now to look at all of our options and try to find a way through this. Remember, an active citizenship is the only way to keep politicians in check and not only servicing their own needs. Educate yourself about these issues, and reach out to others. Ordinance Debacle The first and second readings of the half-cent ordinance had a clear list of projects it would pay for, projects chosen after $500k was spent on public meetings to get input. This list included money for a BRT ($256,400,000), mass transit operations ($280,000,000), and mass transit capital improvements ($73,000,000) (2nd Reading, Project 2, Page 2). This list was removed during the third (and final) reading of the ordinance, without most people, including councilmembers, realizing it. Link to the 2nd Reading of the tax ordinance: http://tinyurl.com/2ndtaxord Link to the 3rd Reading of the tax ordinance: http://tinyurl.com/3rdtaxord If you compare the 3rd reading to the 2nd, you can clearly see that the list is removed. However, during the 3rd reading August 9th, 2016, councilmembers were told by the county attorney that the list was removed only from the ballot question, and not the ordinance. Link to the August 9th County Council meeting: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/91514160 Start at 43:20 to see the conversation about amending the ordinance using the track changes made by the county attorney. At 45:00, he makes the following statement, which, by comparing said ordinances above, appears to be entirely inaccurate: "The actual ordinance that is pending in front of you, if you so choose to approve it, has all the projects that were included at first and second reading. It simply takes them from the sample ballot question and puts all those same projects in the ordinance that you would approve if it passes through reading today so those projects, as stated before, still exist. They are in the ordinance as reflected in your earlier readings. It is simply not reflected on the sample ballot question that's in front of you." What is going on here? Was this a mistake, or a deliberate attempt to fool people into accepting an ordinance and a referendum with no substance, so money could be used in a more flexible manner? This is one of the many things we are trying to determine. Slush Fund? The problem with the ordinance is worrisome. However, what is particularly alarming is that before the half-cent has even been passed, County Chairman Summey and Mayor Tecklenburg have already tried to leverage the would-be money for a project that was never on the original list of projects to try to resurrect I-526 WITHOUT PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE. Fortunately, there was a source leaked to the press, so the knowledge can be yours. Sources explaining these concerns: Post and Courier Article: http://tinyurl.com/h2pn9la Interview with Dana Beach of the Coastal Conservation League: http://tinyurl.com/danainterview Original Tecklenburg and Summey letter: http://tinyurl.com/SIBletter Where we are now We hope to save this referendum and to continue our campaign. We need transit, and there is no indication that we will get funds elsewhere. However, we cannot do so without some kind of assurance from County Council that money from the half-cent will be spent on projects as originally intended. Fortunately, Councilmember Condon has agreed to be our champion and help us in this matter. Meetings are in the works, and we will provide updates as they happen here and on our Facebook feed. In the meantime, we are seeking legal and public policy advice. We do have experts on our team, but we have very little time to prepare and November is quickly approaching. No matter what, Best Friends of Lowcountry Transit will stick around to keep fighting for public transit. One day, Charleston will get the system it needs. Let`s just hope it will be sometime before the oceans rise to swallow her whole.
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