As the Denver Post reported on Monday, ”RTD delays decision on how much to request from taxpayers,” the RTD Board decided to wait until its March 8 meeting before making a final decision on seeking a proposed tax increase for FasTracks in 2011.  The primary reason for this delay is the notice we received from some key stakeholders, like the Metro Mayors Caucus, that they need additional time to prepare their recommendations on a possible tax increase initiative.

In the meantime, others already have weighed-in on this matter.  According to those who responded to initial polling, 58 percent of the public would approve a 0.4% sales tax increase that completes the entire FasTracks system by 2018 (it actually won’t be complete until 2019 under that tax increase scenario).  Most interestingly, public support drops for a lower tax increase rate which takes longer to complete the full FasTracks system.  In the words of David Kenney, the person responsible for the most recent poll, “For most people, the value of time is as or more important than the amount of the tax increase.”

Regardless of what the polling appears to be telling us, the Denver Post is urging RTD to show some restraint.  In their editorial, “Don’t overreach on FasTracks tax,” the Post editors argue that RTD should not double the FasTracks tax in light of other competing public needs.  They even make light of those who are concerned that a lower tax increase will leave folks along the Northwest Rail Line waiting far too long for their promised FasTracks benefits.  “[I]s seven years really such an intolerable delay for a project that was first approved by voters in 2004 and wouldn’t be finished even in the best of circumstances for at least seven more years?”

More opinions on this matter are sure to come from all corners of the Denver region in the next few weeks, but I particularly hope to hear from my District O constituents.   So please feel free to drop me a line or post a response to this blog message.