Proposed Transit Tax Hike For Denver Area Delayed

AURORA, Colo. (AP) - A recent poll shows that 2011 may not be the right year to ask Denver area residents for a tax hike to pay for mass transit.

The Regional Transportation District has considered asking voters for another 0.4 percent tax increase to help fund their transit expansion plan, FasTracks.

Board members voted Tuesday night 13-2 to delay the decision on an additional .4 percent tax increase for another 60 days while they see if the economy picks up.

RTD says the increase could generate an estimated $160 million per year and help fill the $2 billion budget gap. Revenue from the tax would finance projects that haven't been fully funded yet.

If the increase is approved in 2011, the transit expansion project could be completed by 2019.

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