In addition, in November 1998, Los Angeles County voters passed an initiative prohibiting further use of local sales tax dollars to plan, design, or build subways. The initiative did not prohibit the use of sales tax funds to plan and build street level bus and rail transit improvements. The MTA is studying the alternative to the suspended project that can provide improved transit mobility for this area and still be eligible for federal funding that had been earmarked for the suspended subway project. Under Governor Davis' recommendation, the Legislature earmarked state surplus funds needed to fully fund the proposed Eastside alternative. During the same period, the Eastside is expected to generate more than 105,000 new jobs.
Light rail is a modern version of old-time street cars.
It runs on railroad track with electric power supplied from an overhead wire. Examples in Los Angeles include the nation's highest ridership light rail line, the Blue Line, running between Long Beach and Los Angeles. Another local example is the Green Line, running across the county between Norwalk and Redondo Beach. Other famous American light rail lines include those in Portland, San Diego and Sacramento. Since June 1999 the MTA has been meeting with residents and other community stakeholders for input on the Eastside project.