Traffic, Overdevelopment and Proposition T

[Steve]

Michael,

Santa Monica's two biggest residents' advocates, Bobby Shriver and Kevin McKeown have endorsed Proposition T, along with a host of community leaders and the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.

SMRR, the PTA and the Democratic Club have all voted to take no position.

There is also a lot of opposition to Proposition T, particularly from City Hall, the public employee unions and groups beholden to developers such as CEPS, the Chamber of Commerce and others.

Where do you stand on Proposition T? If you want more information, you can look at the website.

[Michael Kovac]

Steve -

Thanks for your post - as I've gone door-to-door throughout the city, Prop T is easily the most discussed topic. I'm quite familiar with the pros & cons of the issue - and one thing is clear, we need a viable solution to our traffic issues. As a Sunset Park resident - I'm all to aware of the issues that traffic and development pose - as I'm frequently reminded by 20 minute trips to 3rd St... though it's only a 1.5 mile trip.

The driving force of my campaign, as you know, is listening to our residents and standing up for their issues and priorities (thus the title, What Santa Monica Wants). To that point, the minute this proposition hit the ballot - my personal beliefs have taken a backseat - and I'll discuss Prop T objectively with residents - but an really looking forward to learning the residents views on Nov 4. It's an important issue - and something that people feel strongly about. And with it on the ballot - there is no better way to learn What Santa Monica Wants.

Again, I'm looking forward to continued dialogue - and working with the community to find real solutions to traffic, overdevelopment, and the other concerns that affect us on a daily basis.

Thank you for your time and support -

Michael

[GarySe7en]

In reply to Steve,

There is also a lot of opposition for Prop T by people within the livable streets movement who follow urban planning and transit issues very closely. I am a Santa Monica resident who also works here, and I think Prop T is a terrible idea that doesn't actually reduce traffic at all while creating potentially severe economic consequences. The voices against are lot more diverse than a bunch of folks in the pocket of the big evil developers as is often claimed by proponents.

My blog post on my reasoning for opposing Prop T is here. I also include as an alternative, enforcing the CA Parking Cash-Out Law, which has languished mostly unenforced since 1992, and has proven to get results at reducing automobile commuting by promoting car-pooling and alternative transit.

Here are the two articles on prop T. in Streets Blog LA, one of the largest advocacy blogs in Los Angles promoting the livable streets movement. Both articles are against, and one very strongly so, with reasons why this prop is highly misguided.

Voter’s Guide: Santa Monica’s Prop. T

Proposition T in Santa Monica is my Candidate for the Worst Urban P...

[Sean Besser]

Hi Michael,

Please share your position on Subway to the Sea and how and why LA and Santa Monica should or shouldn't implement more mass transit options.