It is critically important that Spokane voters see through the expensive public relations campaign by the Spokane Transit Authority and vote against the transit sales tax extension this May 20. The real issue in this election is the lack of the sunset provision, which makes this tax permanent. A “no” vote will bring this tax issue back to voters in November with a provision for the public to vote again on this tax in four years.

A “no” vote is not a vote against public transportation, it is a vote for accountability in public transportation. Buses and service to the needy and people with disabilities are becoming more important as gas prices increase. The public needs smaller buses, flexible routes and changes to respond to our changing world.

The accountability of an election to renew this tax every four years brings out the best performance possible in this essential service. Without the accountability of a sunset provision, the STA has no incentive to improve service and make changes that we need to improve public transportation. Waste and mismanagement characterized STA before the passage of the current 0.3 percent transit tax increase. It was important this increase was made subject to voter reapproval in five years.

The downtown Transit Plaza is a monument to the poor decisions made by the STA when it had limitless funds and no accountability. This organization has powerful special interests that oppose change and efficiency.

The STA wants the public to give it certainty as to the continuation of $21 million of extra sales tax income every year, but transit officials will not tell the public what they will do with the Transit Plaza. The STA wants to wait until after the election to decide what to do with a major building. Before giving the STA a $21 million blank check each year, the public deserves to know what STA is going to do with this building. STA uses the classic dodge of “needing more time to study this issue” before they let us know what they want to do. Before voting for a major tax extension, the public has the right to know what is going to be done with a $20 million downtown building constructed with the public’s money.

Recent progress in transit service has been made because the STA knew it would be held accountable to the Spokane citizens in this election. Competition and accountability are good for our economy, and they are essential to the improvement of public transportation, which will become increasingly important as rising gas prices change the way we travel.

A “no” vote on the transit tax will bring this measure back with a sunset provision which will keep accountability in our public transportation. Every four years we vote on the progress we see in our schools in the form of school levies. Should we not have the same accountability in our public transportation?