MTA to Hold Series of Public Hearings to Determine Use of Transportation Funds
The Transportation Development Act (TDA) of 1971 requires that one-fourth of the 6 percent state sale tax revenue collected in Los Angeles County be returned to the County for public transportation purposes.
The MTA will conduct a public hearing in Palmdale and Lancaster to receive ideas and suggestions for meeting public transportation needs in the Antelope Valley.
The first hearing on Saturday, February 23, begins at 10:00 a.m. and will be held in Palmdale at the Palmdale City Council Chambers, 38300 Sierra Highway, Suite B.
On Wednesday, February 27, a second hearing will be held in Lancaster at the Lancaster City Council Chambers, 44933 North Fern Avenue, starting at 10:00 a.m.
Article 8 of the TDA stipulates that a proportional share of the sales tax revenue be allocated to areas in the County that do not have MTA service. Article 8 applies to approximately 5 percent of the County population that resides in the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley and Santa Catalina Island.
TDA funds must be spent for public transit purposes when a legitimate need for transit service can be identified. However, if no “unmet transit needs” are found, sales tax revenue may be used for street and road purposes.
Each year, the MTA holds public hearings in areas outside the Agency’s service area to determine if any unmet transit needs exist. Following the hearings, and after receiving input form the Hearing Board and Social Services Transportation Advisory Council, the MTA will decide whether there are unmet transit needs in the Antelope Valley.
Those unable to attend the hearing may submit written comments to MTA by March 15, 2002. Comments should be sent to the MTA Article 8 Hearing Record, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Attention: Dolores Roybal (mail stop 99-22-2).
