Issue Position: Encinitas -- Leucadia Streetscape Project

Issue Position

Creating congestion is never a good idea; Bond debt to create congestion is even worse.

I was recently asked to express my position, as a Member of the State Board of Equalization and your elected taxpayer representative, on the Leucadia Streetscape project. While I do not have a vote on the issue I do agree with the Encinitas Residents' Coalition, that the plan should be revisited. Highway 101 and surrounding neighborhoods as well as the I-5 will be severely impacted by reducing the Highway from 4 lanes to 2 and inserting several roundabouts on the route. Because this project would require bond or debt funding of roughly $30 million dollars, concerns of taxpayers and residents in Encinitas should be thoroughly addressed and resolved through the EIR process as suggested by the Encinitas Residents' Coalition. Bond debt repayment is in essence a tax on the citizens.

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