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Metro’s new ballot language gets green light
Rail expansion plan now qualifies for federal funding
By LUCAS WALL Houston Chronicle Sept. 24, 2003

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, released a letter from the FTA’s chief counsel confirming that the amended ballot language for Metro’s Nov. 4 expansion referendum — highlighted by 73 miles of rail — does meet the requirements of a provision inserted by Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston. The section, added by Culberson in July to the pending 2004 transportation appropriations bill, requires all future MetroRail segments be listed on the ballot.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority’s board of directors voted Monday — the deadline under state law for submitting ballot issues — to add the proposed rail segments to the computerized ballot screen. The original ballot did not include the list of rail lines, which drew Culberson’s ire and led to an FTA ruling that the language would not satisfy the bill’s requirements if it becomes law.

William Sears, FTA chief counsel, sent Hutchison a letter Wednesday stating the revised ballot language “clearly satisfies the requirements.”

Hutchison said she will not attempt to remove the Culberson amendment from the bill, which is pending in the Senate, because the issue has been resolved.

“If the people of Houston and the surrounding communities vote in support of light rail, it will be my highest priority to get the full federal share for the system,” Hutchison said in a statement released by her office.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, said the Culberson amendment remains problematic because it subjects Metro to extra federal rules that no other transit agency must follow. She sent a letter Monday to Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta asking for a reconsideration of the FTA’s original decision because Sears hadn’t seen the 22-page proposition Metro adopted, which includes a list of rail segments.

Metro needs federal matching funds to build the next 22 miles of light rail lines through 2012. It is asking voters to approve $640 million in bonds to accelerate construction.

On Wednesday, Metro held the first two of 19 planned meetings to present the final 2025 “Metro Solutions” plan to voters. The 40 people who attended Wednesday morning’s meeting at Metro headquarters downtown left with mixed opinions.

“With all the traffic problems we have now, the tie-ups, then light rail is needed,” said Leola Skinner of northeast Houston, who intends to vote for the plan. “Why would you sit back and wait when you know something is going to be needed?”

Skinner was skeptical, however, of Metro’s contention that it won’t need a tax increase to pay for the transit improvements. But they’ll be worth paying more taxes, she added.

Vic Mendoza of northwest Houston, who rides a commuter bus to work, was among those voters who left undecided.

“I’m really concerned about the rail and how the rail is going to be cost effective,” Mendoza said. “I have a real good friend who lives in Atlanta and he told me they’ve done the rail but it has not improved their congestion at all. You still are stopped on the freeway.”

Mark Whetzel of Katy, who also rides a commuter bus to downtown, said Metro needs to promote non-rail aspects of the plan such as expanded bus service and new Park & Ride lots.