I just noticed a new Clackamas County public opinion survey by Tim Hibbitts posted on the CC website: http://www.clackamas.us/docs/misc/survey.pdf. It is filled with amazing information related to transportation spending priorities in general and PMLR in particular. For instance: Page 4: when asked to rate all important issues, “stop light rail” gets 5%, which is higher than concerns about schools. “Support light rail” gets only 3%, a huge difference. Page 8: when asked to spend a hypothetical $100 on 5 categories of transportation priorities, the subject of expanding light rail gets ONLY $11.60 – the lowest amount of any category. Expanding/maintaining roads and bridges gets nearly 60%. Expanding bus service gets $16.20. I can hardly think of a stronger slap-down of the County Commission’s current priorities by taxpayers. Pages 9-12: when asked about Milwaukie light rail specifically, 29% have “very negative” feelings, while 25% have “very positive” feelings – again a large gap. And finally, when those with negative feelings are asked what the county can do, the top vote-getter (21%) respond, “Discontinue MAX”, followed by “spend money wisely” (18%). The survey has other useful information as well, and I encourage everyone to start using it. Given this response to polling specifically on PMLR, I don’t see how the BCC can cut a check to TM for $25 without waiting for the 9/18 vote on the ballot measure. And speaking of the money, I filed a public records request today with the County asking for all information (memoranda, studies, briefings, emails) about the Commission’s current plan to pay the $25 million. If TriMet is offered a federal funding contract by FTA for PMLR in May (as they hope), the county will owe the $25 by July, according to the IGA. John