Getting on the Ballot… and Getting the Ballot Right June 25, 2013

Background RTD created by legislature in 1969 First light rail corridor opened in 1994 Proposed expansion called “Guide the Ride” failed in 1997 (58% to 42%) Voters authorized bonds to build South East Line (TREX) in 1999 Three light rail corridors opened – 2000, 2002, and 2006

Background General Assembly approval to go to ballot required In 2002 General Assembly granted approval for a.04% tax increase –Law set ballot question language –Granted RTD ability to petition onto the ballot –Limited to November election –Established timeline

Taxpayers Bill of Rights Approved by voters in 1992 Established ballot order and required language: –Amount of tax increase –Annual cost to taxpayers –Cumulative cost over time including principal and interest Established “single subject” rule – only one issue per ballot question

Laying the Groundwork RTD began developing FasTracks Plan Plan reviewed and approved by DRCOG (metro area MPO) Extensive outreach to local elected officials and staff on Plan Two-year process (2002-April 2004)

Citizens for FasTracks Success Education and research only – No advocacy and not subject to disclosure requirements Retained initial core campaign team Coordinated closely with RTD as FasTracks Plan was developed Conducted polling and focus groups Charged to make “GO/NO-GO” recommendation by Dec. 31, 2003

The RTD FasTracks Plan 122 miles of new light rail and commuter rail 18 miles of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service 31 new Park-n-Rides; more than 21,000 new parking spaces Enhanced Bus Network & Transit Hubs (FastConnects) Redevelopment of Denver Union Station 57 new rail and/or BRT stations

FasTracks Yes State Political Committee – Advocacy and subject to disclosure requirements Registered in March 2004 DRCOG and RTD approve Plan in April 2004 Petition drive launched on May 1, 2004 Petitions certified in July 2004 – Question 4A

Question 4A SHALL REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED $ MILLION ANNUALLY AND BY WHATEVER ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY INCREASING THE RATE OF SALES TAX LEVIED BY THE DISTRICT BYFOUR-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT, FROM THE CURRENT SIX-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT TO ONE PERCENT COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2005 AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, SHALL REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT DEBT BE INCREASED $3.477 BILLION, WITH A REPAYMENT COST OF $7.129 BILLION WITH ALL PROCEEDS OF DEBT ANDTAXES TO BE USED AND SPENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A FIXED GUIDE WAY MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM, THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL PARK-NRIDE LOTS, THE EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING PARK-N-RIDE LOTS, ANDINCREASED BUS SERVICE, INCLUDING THE USE OF SMALLER BUSES AND VANS AND ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES AS APPROPRIATE, AS SPECIFIED IN THE TRANSIT EXPANSION PLAN ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DISTRICT ON OR BEFORE APRIL 22, 2004 AND SHALL DEBT BE EVIDENCED BY BONDS, NOTES, OR OTHER MULTIPLE-FISCAL YEAR OBLIGATIONS INCLUDING REFUNDING BONDS THAT MAY BE ISSUED AS A LOWER OR HIGHER RATE OF INTEREST AND INCLUDING DEBT THAT MAY HAVE A REDEMPTION PRIOR TO MATURITY WITH OR WITHOUT PAYMENT OF A PREMIUM, PAYABLE FROM ALL REVENUES GENERATED BY SAID TAX INCREASE, FEDERAL FUNDS, INVESTMENT INCOME, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS, AND OTHER REVENUES AS THE BOARD MAY DETERMINE, AND WITH SUCH REVENUES RAISED BY THE SALES TAX RATE INCREASE AND THE PROCEEDS OF DEBT OBLIGATIONS AND ANY INVESTMENT INCOME ON SUCH REVENUES AND PROCEEDSBEING EXEMPT FROM THE REVENUE AND SPENDING RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED IN SECTION 20 0F ARTICLE X OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION UNTIL SUCH TIME AS ALL DEBT IS REPAID WHEN THE RATE OF TAX WILL BE DECREASED TO THAT AMOUNT NECESSARY FOR THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM BUT NOT LESS THAN SIX-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT?

Election Results YES: 618,168 (57.9 %) NO: 449,142 (42.1 %) CountyYes%No% Adams55, %62, % Arapahoe116, %90, % Boulder93, %50, % Broomfield11, %10, % Denver127, %68, % Douglas42, %34, % Jefferson142, %111, % Weld % % TOTALS618, %449, %

FasTracks Status West Rail Line–Opened April % of 122 miles approved in 2004 are open or under construction Denver Union Station–87% complete U.S. 36 BRT–construction of express lanes extension underway (Federal Blvd. to 88 th St.) East Rail Line/Gold Line/NW Rail – 40% complete I-225 Rail Line–construction underway North Metro Line – RFP July 2013

What’s happening now? “Perfect storm” of the economic downturn and rise in material costs caused budget shortfall New 501(C)3 created – Coalition for Smart Transit – in 2007 Conducted surveys and focus groups assessing feasibility of additional tax increase RTD continues to pursue creative funding solutions and wait to go to the ballot again FasTracks Yes Committee remains open but inactive

Questions?