I plan on voting yes on the Spokane Transit Authority ballot measure. Here’s why:

1. STA has done a great job historically in all categories of fiscal responsibility, service and accountability.

2. An increase of 0.3 percent of one penny is inexpensive for an agency that has held costs to below state averages.

3. Spokane has a need for transit, with more options for even better transit. Great cities have great transit, and I like their 10-year plan for the future.

4. Everyone at STA takes a huge amount of pride in the job they do. That really matters to me. Great drivers, great maintenance, great leadership, great customer service for less than one cent of every sales tax dollar. It’s a bargain.

Less than one cent of the sales tax dollar. Think about how it helps students commuting to Eastern Washington University, Spokane Community College, Spokane Falls Community College and Washington State University-Spokane.

Higher education is expensive, and this helps the students. Over 924,000 rides each month for the entire community. Over 430,000 rides each year for the handicapped and elderly. Less than one cent of sales tax. Please vote yes.

Gary Keller

Spokane