Washington: Streetcar initiative faces challenges

Thu, Mar 4 2010 — Source: Tacoma Weekly

An effort by two Tacoma residents to put a streetcar system up to a public vote could be doomed before it builds very much steam. Last month, Committee to Build the Streetcar submitted a citizen petition to the city of Tacoma. Written by long-time streetcar advocates Chris Karnes and Morgan Alexander, the petition calls for funding to come from something called a transportation benefit district. For every $10 spent in this district, .2 cents of sales tax would go to constructing and operating the system.