Explanation:  This is a binding question.  The Washoe County Board of Commissioners would be obligated to impose the tax if approved by a majority of the voters voting on this question.
Public transit is a key element in maintaining our quality of life in the Truckee Meadows.  In the face of dramatically increasing gas prices, mass transit provides a viable transportation option for many people that can reduce congestion and improve air quality for all, even those who do not use it.  Unfortunately, the recent slowdown in the economy has seriously eroded the amount of funding currently available to operate our existing mass transit system.  Unless additional funding is made available, experts foresee the need to cut existing service by about 20% over the next year.  These cuts come at a time when demand for public transit is at an all time high.  Over the long-term, additional services will be needed to serve our thriving community.  By 2030, population in the Reno-Sparks area is expected to reach over 600,000.  To reduce congestion, maintain air quality, and serve the exciting revitalization of the urban core, an additional $1.1 billion in public transit funding will be needed.  As a first step toward solving this shortfall, the funds generated by this additional 1/8% sales and use tax would help to:
...Avoid an approximately 20% cut in mass transit service in the next 12 months
...Maintain current mass transit service levels
...Expand mass transit to include initial rapid transit in the Virginia Street Corridor.
A "yes" vote would be binding and require the Washoe County Commission to impose a 1/8 of one percent increase in the general sales and use tax that is currently authorized by Nevada Revised Statutes 377A for public transit.
A "no" vote would indicate that you do not want the Washoe County Commission  to impose a 1/8 of one percent increase in the general sales and use tax that is currently authorized by Nevada Revised Statutes 377A for public transit.

Argument "In Favor" of RTC #2

A YES vote on RTC-2 will decrease the time you're tied up in traffic, lower your gasoline expenses, and, consequently, improve air quality. A YES vote guarantees that the RTC RIDE bus system and ACCESS, RTC's door-to-door transportation for many low income seniors and the handicapped, will be able to continue current services and meet new demands. Ridership on RTC RIDE and ACCESS has grown 12% in just the past six months. This upward trend will continue as families seek ways to reduce vehicle costs. More than one in five workers in downtown Reno already rides the bus to work.

But this bump in ridership has come when the RTC is facing an additional 25% cut in bus service over the next year because of a funding shortfall. The reduction in sales tax receipts already has forced a 9% reduction in services.  The bus system operates on sales tax and customer fares.  With sales tax buses can be purchased and operated, regular routes established and reduced fares offered for low income users.  RTC can't operate and grow a bus system on less and less money: that's where RTC-2 comes in.

A YES vote will add 1/8 of 1% to the sales  tax in Washoe County to counteract this shortfall-and it will only cost the average family about 16 cents a day. This is a small investment in transportation mobility. Assuming that each full bus keeps 40 cars off the roads and then multiplying that by the number of buses in operation demonstrates how the funding raised by RTC-2 will benefit the entire community. A bus system with regularly scheduled services in an expanding community provides services from home to work, school, and medical care.

Every cent of new revenue will be used right here in Washoe County to improve our quality of life.  Better bus service = save money = fewer cars on the street = better air quality.  Yes, on RTC-2 helps all of us. Yes on RTC-2.

Rebuttal to Argument "In Favor" of RTC #2

RTC can reduce traffic and improve air quality only if they are able to attract riders and show the ability to expand services to all citizens, not just a small core group.  Why should all Washoe County citizens subsidize downtown workers' transportation when a majority of population lives and commutes from suburbs?  This tax doesn't defray suburban commuters' cost.

An "assumed" full bus will not keep 40 cars off the road because many people who ride the bus downtown do not drive.  A bus ride does not equate to a car ride because cars go several miles, and bus rides are generally short.  The impact for air quality will be miniscule because the outlying citizens still have to drive cars.  

RTC-2 only benefits a few citizens living in the Virginia Street corridor.  All Washoe County citizens should not pay a tax that only helps those who live within Reno-Sparks. 

This tax provides a "nice to have - not need to have" service, which is not fiscally responsible in these austere budget times.   

The current funding level is sufficient but requires RTC to re-evaluate and reorganize their services.  Vote no on RTC-2.

Argument "In Opposition" to RTC #2

The latest increases in population have not shown an increase in ridership or a decrease in congestion.  RTC has not been able to attract new riders to increase their revenue.  RTC raised the price of bus tickets in May, 2008, But, RTC needs to find additional revenue sources which rely on system users who benefit most from transit service. 

Adult ridership for June 08 was down. 1.4%, youth ridership was down 15.7%, cash ridership was down 5.5%. Free ridership was up 8.4% and free Sierra Spirit ridership was up 23%.  RTC needs to attract more paying riders to increase revenues. 

A majority of the estimated doubling of the population by 2030 will be the result of development.  RTC and Local elected officials need to hold developers accountable for the additional burden to the transit system by taxing them accordingly.

The RTC cites the vast increase of the price of fuel as a reason for the requested 1/8 of 1% sale and use tax increase.  However, the increase in fuel prices may be a temporary situation and RTC does not provide a time limit for this increase.  Any tax without an expiration date is unacceptable for the taxpayer.

We urge a no vote on Washoe County Question RTC-2 because the answer to the problem is not increasing taxes, but in restructuring the current transit system to maximize revenue gain from ridership and minimize the area served.

Rebuttal to Argument "In Opposition" of RTC #2

Statement of financial effect:  The daily cost of this 1/8 of 1% increase in the sales and use tax is expected to be 16 cents for the typical Washoe County household.  This tax would remain in effect until such time as the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) ceases the operation of public mass transit services in Washoe County.
If this measure is passed, the Regional Transportation Commission may sell bonds payable from the tax that are backed by the full faith and credit of the Commission.  Following the levy of the tax, additional expenses are expected to be incurred for the operation and maintenance of the mass transit vehicles and facilities acquired with this additional tax, which will paid for by the tax or from existing RTC resources.