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opinion editorialsThis editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by editorial page staff and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers
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Monday, September 28, 2009
Recommendations for Oct. 6 Ballot Questions
Recommendations For Oct. 6 Ballot Questions
The Oct. 6 municipal election ballot includes a renewal of the quarter-cent transportation sales tax, 10 amendments to the City Charter and 10 general obligation bonds. Here are the Journal's recommendations on these down-ballot issues:
Transit Tax
This measure would renew the sunsetting transportation tax voters adopted a decade ago. It amounts to 25 cents in sales tax for every $100 purchase.
The division of revenue — around $37 million annually at the current rate — allows for the money to be used only on roads (59 percent), transit (36 percent), and bike paths and trails (5 percent). It cannot be used for a rail system without separate legislation.
Suspending the tax might seem penny wise in the current economic climate; it would be pound foolish as our transportation systems deteriorated.
The Journal recommends a Yes to the transit tax.
City Charter Amendments
Albuquerque has a strong mayor-council form of government, and most of these amendments dilute the executive's powers. However, most also pass the common-sense test, don't go too far in shifting the balance and merit positive consideration.
One notable exception is Proposition 2, an attempt at an end-run around voters when it comes to approving pay raises for mayor and councilors. It was cited as the reason Mayor Martin Chávez vetoed the package, and all three mayoral candidates oppose it. City councilors arguably deserve a raise, but they need to convince voters — not an appointed commission where nice pay hikes are a foregone conclusion.
Here is a summary of the propositions and the Journal's recommendations:
Proposition 1 — Add a summary to the Charter making it easier to navigate. Yes.
Proposition 2 — Create an advisory committee to determine salaries for the mayor and council, removing that authority from voters. No.
Proposition 3 — Free the city clerk from mayoral politics by making the hiring process open and competitive and including the council in hiring and firing procedures. Yes.
Proposition 4 — Clarify how charter amendments can be proposed via councilors and citizen petitions, and allow the city attorney and city clerk to remove illegal provisions. Yes.
Proposition 5 — Clarify that the mayor prepares the capital budget every two years and the council has specific deadlines in which to approve the operating budget. Yes.
Proposition 6 — Move enforcement of election ethics rules from a criminal process under the city attorney to a civil process under the Board of Ethics and Campaign Practices. This would provide the board broader authority, a lower burden of proof and a wider range of punishments for infractions. Yes.
Proposition 7 — Clarify that the council sets zoning while the mayor enforces it. Yes.
Proposition 8 — Provide for mediation in power disputes between the mayor and council, saving taxpayers protracted legal battles and fees. Yes.
Proposition 9 — Set a clear and standardized number of signatures to run for mayor and council. The current system uses percentages, and the number unfairly varies from district to district. Yes.
Proposition 10 — Free the city attorney from mayoral politics by making the hiring process open and competitive and including the council in hiring and firing procedures. Yes.
General Obligation Bond Issues
These bonds replace retiring ones and would not increase property taxes. However, rejecting all would lower taxes on a $200,000 home around $120 a year.
Public Safety — $8.4 million to build, renovate and equip police and fire stations. Yes.
Senior, Family and Community Centers — $22.7 million to design, build, renovate and equip centers including Los Duranes and Westgate. Yes.
Parks and Rec — $34.4 million to design, build, renovate and equip open space, golf courses, pools and parks, including Ventana Ranch Park. Yes.
Energy and Water Conservation — $16.3 million to modernize and replace equipment, buildings, software, security, parking and vehicles. Yes.
Libraries — $5.1 million for library renovations and materials, including electronics. Yes.
Streets — $31.4 million to build, repair, maintain and control traffic on streets citywide. Despite a misplaced $1 million to purchase El Vado Motel, Yes.
Public Transportation — $7.8 million to buy vehicles, build shelters, update technology and renovate the city transit system. The money will draw a $16 million federal match. Yes.
Storm Sewers — $13.8 million to plan, buy land for and build storm sewers, including for Moon Street and Council District 3. Yes.
Zoo, BioPark, Museum and Cultural Facilities — $9.8 million for renovations and improvements to the BioPark, Kimo, Albuquerque Museum and Tingley Beach, including $1 million for an Asian tiger exhibit. Yes.
Affordable Housing — $10 million to continue the initiative providing quality, energy efficient, affordable rentals in the city's core. Yes.
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