Tom Warne Report, 4 May 2013
A proposal may make it easier to increase sales taxes for two California counties for transportation work. Democratic Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski, Fremont, introduced the measure that would allow Alameda and Contra Costa counties to let voters decide whether to boost funding for local road and bridge projects.
“This bill will give both counties the ability and flexibility to put critical transportation infrastructure projects before voters,” Wieckowski said in a news release.
Alameda County officials are hoping to make another attempt at getting voter approval to double the local transportation sales tax to repair local roads and expand public transit. A permanent increase for the local tax from one-half cent to one cent lost in November even though it received 66.53 percent approval, because it did not make the 66.67 required approval threshold.
The last time Contra Costa County voters approved renewing their half-cent sales tax was over ten years ago.
County officials cannot include the transportation sales tax measures on their ballots without an exemption from state lawmakers. This regulation is to prevent cities from going above a sales tax cap set by the state. If voters approve an increase by Dec. 31, 2020, AB210 would grant counties the authority to exceed to cap.
California counties have a long history of raising billions of dollars for their transportation needs. The voters recognize the need and vote accordingly. My prediction is these measures will pass if voters are given a say. TW