Brian Wahby
January 26, 2010

On April 6th St. Louis County voters will make a decision that will have dramatic implications for the future of our metropolitan region.  Voters will decide whether or not to authorize a one-half of one percent sales tax increase for MetroLink, MetroBus and disabled and senior public transportation.   The passage of this important ballot initiative will not only restore the services previously cut in March of 2009 but also provide funds for future improvements to MetroLink and MetroBus services.

I am writing about this issue now, four months before the April 6th election, because this tax increase is vitally important to our region.  Over 100,000 people rely on Metro every week to get to their jobs and 97% of all jobs in St. Louis City and County can be reached by riding Metro.  Also, according to estimates, Metro commuters earn a collective $2.2 billion dollars annually.

We all remember the drastic services cuts Metro was forced to make last spring.  The cuts impacted thousands of transit users — adding hours to some commutes and making it virtually impossible for others to rely on public transit to get to their jobs.  Luckily, emergency state and federal funds were able to temporarily restore some of the service cuts for this fiscal year.  This will not be the case in the coming fiscal year, due to budget cuts on the state and federal level.  Passing this ballot proposition will ensure that drastic service cuts like last spring’s no longer loom on the horizon.  This new tax will generate approximately $75 million a year for public transportation and will also trigger an additional $8 million in tax revenue from St. Louis City from a previous tax passed in 1997.

There is also an environment benefit to supporting the one-half of one percent sales tax increase.  Expanding Metro allows more even more people to utilize the bus and rail systems which reduce carbon emissions.  It is estimated that public transportation produces about half as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, per mile, compared to private vehicles.  Improving our public transit is a way for St. Louisians to become greener and help reduce the United State’s dependence on foreign oil.

As you can see, there are both economic and environmental reasons to pass this tax increase.  I will likely revisit this issue as we get closer to the April 6th County elections, but until then, please be cognizant of the great services Metro provides and its importance to our regional economy.  Also remember that, even if you are not a regular rider, your family, friends and neighbors probably are and they depend on Metro every single day.  Please encourage everyone you know in St. Louis County to support this proposition on April 6th.

As Documentary Premieres at Sundance, New Website Reveals Congressman Blunt and Jack Abramoff Connection

Go Behind the Scenes with Two of the Biggest Players in Washington’s Shell Game of Corruption, Insider Deals and Pay To Play Politics

St. Louis, MO – Today the St. Louis Democratic Party revealed a new Web site at www.BluntAndAbramoff.com to expose the connections between Congressman Roy Blunt and lobbyist and convicted felon Jack Abramoff who was the focus of a new documentary that premiered this past weekend at the Sundance Film Festival. (link )  Abramoff was sentenced to prison for conspiring to corrupt numerous public officials with gifts, meals, trips and campaign donations in what became one of the most infamous corruption scandals in history.

“During his 13 years in Washington, Congressman Blunt has become the ultimate Washington insider by wheeling and dealing with individuals like disgraced Majority Leader Rep. Tom Delay (R-TX) and lobbyist and convicted felon Jack Abramoff,” said Jack Coatar, Executive Director of the St. Louis Democratic Central Committee.  “Finally Missourians can see the clear connections between Congressman Blunt and the Washington insiders like Jack Abramoff who led our country down the wrong path through backdoor special deals, out of control spending and failure to hold Wall street accountable.”

Visit www.BluntAndAbramoff.com to see more about the Blunt/Abramoff world of Washington insider deals.

Congressman Blunt is running against State Senator Chuck Purgason and Kansas City auto consultant Mark Memoly in the August 2010 primary for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.

Last night I volunteered at the OFA Missouri office on California Avenue in St. Louis. It had been some time since I had done voter contact and I had forgotten how much fun it can be. Two days away from the special election, I was making calls to Boston, MA asking folks to vote for Martha Coakley for US Senate and to help out her campaign as we enter the final stretch.

When I introduced myself as the party chair from St. Louis, people were very appreciative that I was calling and told me that my call underscored how important the Senate race in MA was to our country.

One voter, Matt, was watching a playoff football game with some friends when I called. I stated why I was calling and he was floored that I would call from St. Louis. I told him that if I could, I’d be in Boston right now knocking on doors for Martha (right after the game). I asked him to be my surrogate instead.

“Matt do us in Missouri a favor – go over to the campaign field office and volunteer for a couple of hours.”

He said, “Grassroots got us here and efforts like yours tonight will help us reshape our nation!”

Matt signed up for a shift in a Boston field office!

Do yourself a favor – help elect a Democrat to Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat by finding an OFA phone bank or go to www.barackobama.com to learn how to help move the President’s agenda forward.

Just like Matt, you can make the difference.

Brian Wahby

Chairman

St. Louis City Democratic Central Committee