From: To: Subject: Date: Schmidt, Steve Walsh, Lynn (NBCUniversal) RE: NBC 7, Voice of San Diego inquiry to SANDAG Board Members, re: tax proposal dollar amount predictions Thursday, February 16, 2017 4:28:41 PM Hi Lynn,   Below is the joint email that I’m told went out today to Ron Roberts, Terry Sinnott and Gary Gallegos over at SANDAG. Thanks. Steve   ________________________   Dear Chair Roberts,   Given the recent coverage of Measure A’s controversial revenue forecasts we appreciated hearing staff’s comments and perspective at the Board retreat. We also appreciated learning from Gary Gallegos that further discussion of this topic is planned for SANDAG’s February 24 Board meeting. However, discussions alone fall short of what will be necessary to regain the public’s trust.   SANDAG’s credibility relies on its accountability. Therefore, we believe it is imperative for the Board of Directors to commission an independent examination of all materials and personnel relevant to the issue. None of us are suggesting the result of such an examination is a foregone conclusion - it may indeed exonerate SANDAG - but for the public to be well-served an impartial and thorough examination must be conducted. At the very least we, and our constituents, need answers to the questions: Who knew about the revenue forecast discrepancies? When did they know? What was known? Who was the information shared with? Why wasn’t the Board or Executive Committee informed?   Such a review may be inconvenient; time-consuming and expensive. But the need to restore confidence in the agency is of the utmost importance.   Accordingly, we request that the Measure A revenue forecast item planned for the upcoming board meeting be listed on the agenda in a manner that allows the Board to take action.   Respectfully,   Steve Vaus, Mayor of Poway Dianne Jacob, County Supervisor Richard Bailey, Mayor of Coronado Catherine Blakespear, Mayor of Encinitas Bill Wells, Mayor of El Cajon Kristine Alessio, La Mesa Councilmember Jerry Jones, Councilmember, Lemon Grove           From: Walsh, Lynn (NBCUniversal) [mailto:Lynn.walsh@nbcuni.com] Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2017 10:20 AM To: Schmidt, Steve Subject: RE: NBC 7, Voice of San Diego inquiry to SANDAG Board Members, re: tax proposal dollar amount predictions   Thank you!   Lynn Walsh Executive Producer, NBC 7 Investigates o 619.578.0578 c 614.579.7937 9680 Granite Ridge Drive, San Diego CA 92123     From: Schmidt, Steve [mailto:Steve.Schmidt@sdcounty.ca.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2017 10:19 AM To: Walsh, Lynn (NBCUniversal) Subject: RE: NBC 7, Voice of San Diego inquiry to SANDAG Board Members, re: tax proposal dollar amount predictions   Hi Lynn,   Let me bounce these off her as well. Thanks.   Steve     From: Walsh, Lynn (NBCUniversal) [mailto:Lynn.walsh@nbcuni.com] Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2017 10:17 AM To: Schmidt, Steve Subject: RE: NBC 7, Voice of San Diego inquiry to SANDAG Board Members, re: tax proposal dollar amount predictions   Steve,   Thank you – so, does Dianne have a plan to get those questions answered? Is she asking for an independent review? Is she doing anything else to achieve what her statement says?   Also, was she aware of the issues or told that numbers were incorrect?   Thanks!   Lynn Walsh Executive Producer, NBC 7 Investigates o 619.578.0578 c 614.579.7937 9680 Granite Ridge Drive, San Diego CA 92123     From: Schmidt, Steve [mailto:Steve.Schmidt@sdcounty.ca.gov] Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2017 9:17 AM To: Walsh, Lynn (NBCUniversal) Subject: RE: NBC 7, Voice of San Diego inquiry to SANDAG Board Members, re: tax proposal dollar amount predictions   Hi Lynn,   I shared your inquiry with Dianne. She asked me to pass this on in response to your questions:   ___________________   "I’ve seen media reports on revenue projections and responses from SANDAG staff. The question remains… who knew what and when did they know it?  There must be an independent review to determine if anything intentionally was hidden from the public and the board prior to the election. SANDAG’s credibility is on the line."   ___________________   I hope this is helpful. Thanks.   Steve   Steve Schmidt     Communications Advisor C: 619-206-9108    O: 619-531-4766  steve.schmidt@sdcounty.ca.gov Office of County Supervisor Dianne Jacob         From: Walsh, Lynn (NBCUniversal) [mailto:Lynn.walsh@nbcuni.com] Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 4:42 PM To: Walsh, Lynn (NBCUniversal) Cc: Westerheide, Chuck(NBCUniversal); andrew.keatts@voiceofsandiego.org; scott.lewis@voiceofsandiego.org; Dawson, Greg (NBCUniversal) Subject: NBC 7, Voice of San Diego inquiry to SANDAG Board Members, re: tax proposal dollar amount predictions   Dear SANDAG Board Members, Voice of San Diego and NBC 7 San Diego have been closely following the promises made to taxpayers related to the 2004 TransNet tax and Measure A. Specifically, we have learned: · When SANDAG asked voters to approve Measure A in November, it told the public the proposed sales tax would bring in $18 billion but emails obtained by the Voice of San Diego show the agency knew that number was incorrect. Despite this, the agency chose to still use the $18 billion number in advertising to voters. · Those emails also show that after receiving information showing the dollar amount predictions were incorrect, SANDAG’s executive director and other high-ranking officials chose to do nothing. The information was not passed on to the SANDAG board of directors, elected officials in San Diego county or voters. · Related to TransNet, the tax approved by voters in 2004 to fund regional transportation projects, SANDAG did not use the new information to adjust their plans for the program nor did SANDAG alert taxpayers to the issue, which could result in the projects promised, not becoming a reality. Based off of this information Voice of San Diego and NBC 7 would like to ask each of the following questions: · Were you aware the dollar amount predictions being advertised to voters and associated with Measure A were incorrect? If so, when did you learn they were incorrect and how (email, phone call, memo, etc.)? · Were you aware the TransNet tax program funds were not coming in short? If so, when did you learn of this and how (email, phone call, memo, etc.) · Why did SANDAG choose not to edit advertisements and ballot language, related to Measure A, to include more accurate numbers? · Do you, as a SANDAG board member, plan to take any action to address the situation? We plan on reporting on the sending of this letter, as well as any responses or lack of response we receive. We would appreciate a response by February 21, 2017, COB. SANDAG is a publicly funded organization which makes decisions about how to spend billions of taxpayer dollars. Because of this, SANDAG has a responsibility to be transparent and open with the public. Thank you for your time and we look forward to hearing from you,    Voice of San Diego and NBC 7 Staff       Lynn Walsh Executive Producer, NBC 7 Investigates o 619.578.0578 c 614.579.7937 9680 Granite Ridge Drive, San Diego CA 92123