> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # MTA moves Expo Line along - URL: https://www.smdp.com/mta-moves-expo-line-along/ - Published: 2008-06-27T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T19:59:22.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: Government & Politics, Downtown, #archive-import *Some rankled, some thrilled by MTA’s decisions* *By ALICE OLLSTEIN Special to the Daily Press* DOWNTOWN L.A. Traffic-weary Santa Monicans can rest easy knowing the Exposition Light Rail Line to the Westside is on track for funding from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority — despite a threat from several board members to give a San Gabriel Valley project higher priority. The MTA Board of Directors met in Downtown Los Angeles Thursday to debate several issues, including the approval of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and a proposed half-cent sales tax increase to fund future transportation needs. After hours of debate, the board decided to postpone the approval of the LRTP draft until after the November election, leaving the Expo Line in the funded category and the Metro Gold Line Foothill extention unfunded until that time. This proved frustrating for the hundreds of Gold Line supporters who bused out to the meeting to argue that their project be moved up. A 4-8 vote nullified their efforts. “It was kind of crazy,” said former Planning Commissioner Darrell Clarke. “Busloads of people had to be put in overflow rooms, and the public hearings went on for over two hours. All of that to end up with no change. I imagine it’s frustrating, but it was a typical political compromise.” MTA spokesperson Marc Littman witnessed the conflict between the different groups lobbying to have their project funded first. “The board did not want to put any project ahead of any others,” he said. “And we’ll have a lot more money to do more projects \[if the sales tax passes\], but \[Gold Line supporters\] wanted to see their project moved up right now. They didn’t seem too pleased with the decision. A lot of people were shaking their heads and walking out.” “It’s a fairness issue,” she said. “\[Santa Monica\] is the only region without any rail service. We need to get that light rail built so we have some relief. It’s a vital artery that needs to be put in place. No project should be ahead of it.” The discussion then moved to putting a sales tax increase on the ballot. It was temporarily approved 10-2, with a final vote scheduled for July 24\. The MTA estimates that the tax would generate $40 billion over 30 years and create 210,000 jobs. If it does make it to the November ballot, the tax must achieve a two-thirds popular approval in order to take effect. Littman, while noting that passing the tax will be “an uphill battle,” stressed both the measure’s importance and low impact on consumers. “We’re short about 60 billion bucks to fund what needs to be funded,” he said. “We need to grow the pie. Without additional local revenue, we can’t even fix the potholes. And it will only be about $25 per year, per resident, the equivalent of putting five gallons of gas in your car once a year.” Littman partially faults the state for the lack of financial support for California transportation projects. “They keep taking money from transportation to fix their own budget woes,” he said. “The governor has proposed taking $133 million from L.A. alone, taking another whack at transportation. We’d have to scramble to make up that money, which is easier said than done. We’re not going to be bailed out by Sacramento or Washington, so we have to help ourselves.” While the board still has to take final action to draft a ballot measure for the sales tax, O’Connor feels optimistic that such a measure can go through. She announced her commitment to “craft a fair proposal for the ballot” as well as to “educating and exciting voters.” “The last time there was a sales tax for transportation on the ballot was 1994,” she said. “We need solutions as quickly as possible.” Those against the tax included the Bus Riders Union (BRU), which feels that they will bear the burden of paying the tax without benefiting from the revenue. “Busriders have to come first,” said BRU lead organizer Manuel Criollo. “We’re 86 percent of the \[MTA\] ridership, we’re the poorest people in the county, and the big burdens are always on our people. We think that MTA needs to create a moratorium on rails, and focus on reducing fares and expanding the \[bus\] fleet.” Criollo admits feeling disappointed by the board’s decision. “If this is the start, then it’s not a good start,” he said. Clarke was skeptical of the BRU’s demands, noting, “They’re asking for incompatable things: no tax, no fare increase and expanded service.” The one fact all agreed on was the severe lack of funds. “Every part of the county is hurting,” said Littman.“We’ve reached a boiling point with gas approaching $5 a gallon, the worst traffic in the nation and the dubious title of worst air quality. The costs of congestion and rough roads are skyrocketing, and it’s going to get worse as the population grows. People are recognizing that it’s intolerable.” Littman hopes the voting public agrees with his assessment. “Will that translate into a two-thirds vote?” he asked. “I don’t know.” *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 27, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/062708.pdf?ref=smdp.com)