Metro statement on Measure J losing

As I noted yesterday, the ballot measure that Mayor Villaraigosa and Metro hoped would provide the funding base for an acceleration of transit construction lost by 0.56 of a percentage point. It needed two-thirds of the votes cast and got 66 percent and change, just shy of the minimum needed. That's still a lot of support. Metro posted a statement today on the agency's blog, The Source:

The ballot effort to extend the Measure R transit sales tax by another 30 years fell just short of the necessary two thirds voter approval. In the final vote tally, 66.11 percent of voters, nearly 2 million Los Angeles County residents, expressed confidence in Metro and the Measure R program. Progress will continue as Metro remains focused on delivering a dozen new transit projects and 15 highway improvement projects that voters approved four years ago in passing Measure R. In fact, within two years Metro should be overseeing simultaneous construction of five major rail projects. Also the Measure R transit sales tax for transit – approved in 2008 – continues until 2039, so Metro directors have the option of asking voters in the future if they wish to extend the program.