From:
To:
Subject:
Date:

McClain, Tim
Walsh, Lynn (NBCUniversal)
RE: NBC 7, Voice of San Diego inquiry to SANDAG Board Members, re: tax proposal dollar amount predictions
Tuesday, February 21, 2017 4:26:47 PM

Hi Lynn. Here’s Ron’s response on your deadline. Tim
 

As I have told Voice of San Diego and other media, I learned of the projection shortfalls when
they were reported in the media. Soon after, the SANDAG board of directors asked for a
report to be created on the shortfalls, and it was delivered to the board in December. The
projection shortfall was discussed during the board retreat several weeks ago, with media
present. As chair, I’ve also made it the topic of a special report at Friday’s meeting. I expect
the board on Friday to support an independent investigation and look forward to their
comments.
 
 
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