No leadership, but what else is new?
Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Gov. Blagojevich’s trial balloon on mass transit funding went over like a lead balloon yesterday…
Among the options aired before a legislative panel in Chicago were proposals to levy a tax on commercial parking spaces […]
The alternative tax proposals, however, elicited no apparent support from lawmakers or civic groups at the hearing. No sooner was the parking-space tax proposal raised than it drew withering fire from civic groups and organizations representing retail merchants and manufacturers, who labeled it a levy on jobs and an extension of the property tax.
Skeptical lawmakers also raised numerous questions, such as who should pay the tax — owners or users of property — and how it would be collected. The questions remained unanswered, largely because such a tax has never been enacted elsewhere, officials said.
Needless to say, it’s way past time that the governor propose a solid alternative to the agreement worked out by mass transit unions, officials and legisltors. So far, all he’s officially offered up are veto threats. His failure to lead speaks volumes and his goofy parking tax proposal shows that he’s not serious about getting into this game.
* Meanwhile, the RTA says it won’t accept another short-term bailout offer…
Transit officials postponed “Doomsday One” fare hikes, service cuts and layoffs last month, when Gov. Blagojevich let them borrow against next year’s state aid. Top transit executives now say that only worsened their financial crisis, increasing the odds that the cuts will take place next month.
The region’s top transit executive delivered a harsh message that a short-term bailout is not an option, meaning service cuts and fare increases may become a reality soon.
“We will not accept a short-term fix again,” said Regional Transit Authority Executive Director Steve Schlickman.
* And even some suburbs are worried…
Ridership on Pace buses significantly increased in Naperville after a summer ad campaign, but now looming service cuts have officials fearing the effort may have been in vain.
“Naperville would be hit real hard” unless the transit agency gets additional money from the Regional Transportation Authority, said Patrick Wilmot, a Pace spokesman.
Service could be cut as of Nov. 4, with an estimated 700 or more commuters left without a bus to ride, officials fear. […]
There is a two-year waiting list for a parking permit at the Illinois Highway 59 Metra station, a five-year waiting list for a permit at the Kroehler lot near downtown Naperville and an eight-year waiting list for a permit to park at the downtown station.
Those numbers played a role in Naperville launching its $35,000 ad campaign to persuade more people to ride the bus.
* But at least one suburban legislator says she’s not convinced that the promised “doomsdays” are real…
A leading suburban Republican, though, suggested that budgetary doomsday might actually be good for the CTA.
“We should see what doomsday looks like. And I’m not sure that the populace in general is totally convinced that our transit system is as efficient as it could be,” State Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) said.
Radogno does make a good point, which is too often missed by people who prefer to complain about the lack of “state funding” for mass transit. The negotiated agreement on the transit bailout is a pretty good bill, and it’s probably the best we’re gonna see, but Radogno is right that it doesn’t do enough to force the transit systems to prioritize their spending and improve service.
Discuss.
- so-called "Austin Mayor" - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 9:51 am:
Rich,
When I was a young cowboy, I was told the following parable:
Two bull stood on a hill overlooking a pasture full of cows.
The younger bull said, “Let’s run down and [copulate with] one of those cows.”
“No,” said the older bull. “Let’s WALK down and [copulate with] ‘em all.”
Ever get the feeling that the old bulls have walked down to the citizens of Illinois.
– SCAM
[Edited by Miller. Please try to keep it clean.]
- GoCubsss - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 9:58 am:
It is kind of a shame. The parking tax idea is not a bad idea. Neither is the sales tax. Nor are the host of other options that have been floated.
They just need to find something that will pass.
The sales tax failed. So, try something else.
- Johnny USA - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 9:59 am:
“We will not accept a short-term fix again,” said Regional Transit Authority Executive Director Steve Schlickman.
Being a beggar, you aren’t exactly in a position to make demands, Mr. Schlickman.
Now is not the time for gamesmanship, sir. You will do whatever it takes to keep your trains and buses running, and you will not use commuters and their daily commute as ‘leverage’ in order to get a chip in the game. If Springfield wants to dole you out funding one dollar at a time, you will gladly accept them, and use them to keep your vehicles operating.
Please do not let your title of “Executive Director” fool you. You will march to the beat of the lawmaker’s drum. If you want to play ‘power executive’, please apply to United Airlines or FedEx.
- He makes Ryan Look like a Saint - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:04 am:
The Governor (and Cassandra) constantly talk about bloated government, I think it is time they look at the RTA and trim the fat.
- tom73 - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:09 am:
I would love if Radogno and others who say the fat needs to be trimmed from transit could, you know, actually identify any specifics. To be fair, I have more than a strong feeling the RTA agencies waste cash, and the CTA employs hacks. But perhaps our lawmakers could actually find specifics before I have to worry about spending 90-120 minutes going 7 miles to work every morning, up from an hour now.
What does Radogno want? More coordination between the agencies? More RTA oversight? Leaner job forces? What does she want that the most recent transit audit did not call for?
One can believe transit is not as efficient as it should be and still see the need for revised funding.
- Carl Nyberg - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 11:13 am:
Rich, how will implementing the doomsday scenario result in improved service?
Maybe we should try the doomsday scenario for other agencies too. I mean if massive cuts and fee increases is the path to improving services, let’s do it for every agency, right?
Christine Radogno claims to be concerned about the quality of public transportation services. How many times has she met with public transit officials about the quality of services in the last four years? Did she send out any press releases about these meetings?
How many formal (in writing) complaints or suggestions did Radogno make in the last four years?
Does Radogno use public transportation? What services? How often?
How much of Radogno complaining about public transportation services is a genuine complaint? And how much of it is a red herring dragged out to avoid paying for public transportation?
Is there anything that prevents the legislature from creating an independent agency to evaluate and track the quality of service provided by the RTA? Has Radogno suggested anything like this? Or are her concerns about quality of service less than sincere?
- Carl Nyberg - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 11:15 am:
I kinda favor the sales tax increase b/c it will make it harder for Cook County to raise sales taxes.
I’d rather have the money go to public transportation than have it be mismanaged by the Stroger administration.
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 11:30 am:
It’s a shame that Rod still hasn’t figured out that sending out a press release with an idea you haven’t vetted with anybody is not the same thing as governing. The result of his style is that even if he has a good idea (sorry - I can’t think of one since universal pre-k), it will die an ugly, painful death until he learns how the process works.
It’s very frustrating because we have real problems that need actual leadership. And as Dick Durbin vented about on Chicago Tonight, there’s a pile of Federal money that’s ours for the taking if only we could come up with a capital bill.
Pathetic.
- Kuz - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 11:33 am:
Before proposing a new funding plan, RTA had its entire system audited by the Illinois Auditor General. This budget is lean, has major labor concessions thrown in, and addresses some of the duplication in the system. There’s not a huge amount of waste in there to cut for operating.
RTA and CTA are doing their part to make this budget work, and since the state is the entity that is responsible for transportation funding, it is the state’s job to pay up.
Oh, and Radogno can go [copulate] off.
- Anon - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 11:34 am:
tom73 is right
To get the specifics, we would need input from the many inside professionals that have been Kreusi-fied by the Chicago Way as Dennis Byrne called it. Just get Hamos to insitute a Professional Amnesty program with a reward for “ideas and info” and we could get some real interesting answers to Radogno’s questions.
- first time writer - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 12:50 pm:
I have to agree with tom73, does Radogno have specifics to point to instead of just saying let the doomsday scenario play out. Since when did she become an expert on transit issues? Considering that she doesn’t take the train or ride the bus living in Lemont and that her district office is within close driving distance. The Senator should think before she speaks. Then again this is the kind of solid leadership that republicans get to look up to in the party. How is that doomsday scenario playing out in the republican party?
- Cal Skinner - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 1:00 pm:
Rich writes, “The negotiated agreement on the transit bailout is a pretty good bill, and it’s probably the best we’re gonna see…”
I remember my grad school public finance professor saying, “The best tax is one that somebody else pays.”
- Rod sez I'm pork - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 1:33 pm:
Blago on calling on the Illinois House to uphold his veto of a measure that would allow trucks to go 65:
Blagojevich says lawmakers who vote to overturn his veto will effectively be voting to kill people.
Nice to see G-Rod has learned the benefits of a well-reason, noninflammatory argument.
- Loop Lady - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 1:36 pm:
Schlickman is right to ask for a long term fix…this issue comes up every year…how can you do long range planning with ever shrinking state support? Don’t give me the line that only the users should pay the costs…NY state gives a way higher percentage of operating revenue to their mass trasit agencies…pledge or no pledge, taxes need to be levied to keep this system running…aint gonna fall from the sky or come from the Feds folks…
- Carfree Chicago - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 2:41 pm:
Johnny — You just don’t get it, do you? Taking a temporary bail-out isn’t usually as simple as getting “one dollar at a time.” It often comes at the expense of next year’s budget. Like the payday loan on 2008 the RTA just accepted. This doesn’t keep service going, as you seem to think it will — it only puts future riders in an even worse position. I think the RTA is just as accountable to next year’s riders as it is to todays — sacrificing the future of transit just so we can ride *today* is irresponsible. I hope the RTA starts to stand up for fiscal responsibility and stops jeopardizing the future of our transit system.
Regarding efficiency and prioritizing spending — give me a break. Yes, there’s probably room for improvement. But every state agency has room for improvement — many have much more corruption and other problems than the CTA. Why don’t we make IDOT cut the fat and give some of the savings to transit? The RTA just falls under closer scrutiny because we’ve underfunded them for so long that it turns our heads when they actually ask for enough money to run a decent transit system.
- Captain America - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 2:52 pm:
Senator Radagno appears to have little real knowledge or understanding of mass transit. She has no alternative funding plan just an ideology and a political agenda.
Governor Blagojevich has no solution - just a nioe haircut, a pretty face, a bankrupt politcal philosophy and State treasury,and an empty noggin. The Filan proposal is just a smokescreen designed to protect the Governor from a politically suicidal veto.
Emil Jones has no solution. When push come to shove, he has to support the Hamos plan, given the absence of an alternative, because he will be unable to survive poltically as Senate President if he does not do so.
Tom Cross has no political solution and no statewide political future if her refuses to support the Hamos plan for purely paroohial reasons. Madigan should be able to cut a deal with Cross somehow by givein him enough votes to establish a supermajority in the House.
There is only one viable mass transit funding proposal - the Hamos Plan- on the table that has significant bipartisan support support, necessary to pass in the legislature.
Everyone is tired of the posturing, the rhetoric,bickering, the hemming and hawing and the political stalling. It’s either the Hamos plan or the doomsday plan. Its time for the yeas and nays. Watch Blago’s poll numbers plummet to the nether regions and the Godfather’s political support in the Senate crumble when doomsday is implemented. I’m not in favor of any more phony interim solutions - it’s either yea or doomsday by November 4.
- Johnny USA - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 3:11 pm:
Carfree - I get it, I’m just not as deluded as you are about the situation.
If the RTA has to mortgage its future, it is because of Springfield. Your beef is with Springfield. To have this “Executive Director” attempt to extort the situation by holding commuters hostage is despicable. His job is to keep the trains rolling in the framework Springfield gives him, not compound the problem more by threatening the lawmakers.
Statesmanship, not gamesmanship, Carfree. That will get up out of this mess.
Future riders are in a precarious situation, and they always will be, as long as they are standing in line with their hands outstretched. Fact of life. RTA’s job is to keep the trains rolling. It’s job is not to be political and attempt to sway public policy.
- GoBearsss - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 4:56 pm:
Captain America said:
“There is only one viable mass transit funding proposal - the Hamos Plan- on the table that has significant bipartisan support support, necessary to pass in the legislature.”
Here’s the problem - that bill failed. It DIDN’T have enough support to even pass in the House.
So…. you should find something that WILL pass. And do it quickly.
Just SAYING something is viable and has enough support doesn’t actually make it so.
- Angry Chicagoan - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 7:42 pm:
Sorry Johnny — if RTA agencies don’t have the cash to meet payroll, and the CTA pretty clearly does not after January, and even Metra inches closer to having to make a choice between paid employees and trains that work, then how are they the ones that get the blame for holding commuters hostage? You can’t force people to do something for nothing; slavery was abolished already, and we aren’t the northern Mariana Islands.
Transit passed the Illinois state audit. I’d like to see Cook County meet the same test — or even some of the Republican rotten boroughs in the burbs. We have fares that are cheap-ish on CTA and Pace and flat-out cheap on Metra, by the national ad international standards of big city and suburban transit systems, and commuter rail. And they pull this off despite receiving subsidies that, by national and international standards, are inadequate. And in the case of Metra and Pace, despite serving very low density communities.
Transit users, if you feel hard done by, compare CTA bus fares with Metro Transit in Minneapolis, or, for a real laugh, Metra fares to London’s commuter lines. Taxpayers, if you feel hard done by, go and check out the subsidies elsewhere. CTA has a very handy chart in most of their vehicles these days about funding, while all Metra enthusiasts need to know is that when passenger rail was privatized in the UK, taxpayer subsidies quadrupled and staff salaries skyrocketed.
I repeat, where’s the fat in transit operations? Evidently, mostly between the ears of Blagojevich and Emil Jones.
- Anon - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 9:37 pm:
Angry Chicagoan–
Divide the average total number of daily CTA employees by total daily riders (not rides or trips but total riders)…and you’ll get your answer. When you do the math, add in daily consultants and pensioners just for the fun of it and send it to the Auditor General.