Sonoma-Marin Rail Sales Tax, Measure Q, 2008

From Ballotpedia

The Sonoma-Marin Sales Tax, Measure Q appeared on the November 4, 2008 ballot in Marin and Sonoma County, California.

Measure Q was approved with 69.3% of the vote.

Measure Q imposes a 1/4-cent sales tax for 20 years. Passage required a 2/3rds vote.

The funds raised from the tax are supposed to support the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District to:

• "Relieve traffic, fight global warming and increase transportation options".
• Provide two-way passenger train service every 30 minutes during weekday rush hours.
• Provide weekend service.
• Provide a bicycle/pedestrian pathway linking the stations, and connections to ferry/bus service.

Ballot language controversy

After supporters and opponents of Measure Q gave their language to the Sonoma and Marin county election officials for the official ballot arguments, Measure Q supporters filed a lawsuit claiming that the ballot argument of Measure Q opponents was misleading.

On September 2, judge Elaine Rushing agreed that the argument was misleading and required a change in language.^[1]

Old language

• "Freight train operations and gravel mining, facilitated by SMART, would severely damage the Eel River and its threatened salmon and steelhead."

New language

• "NCRA freight trains and gravel mining, if facilitated by SMART, might damage the Eel River and its threatened salmon and steelhead."

See also

• California 2008 local ballot measures

External links

• Text of Measure Q
• Smart Train 2008, website favoring Measure Q
• Election results from Marin County

References

1. ↑ North Bay Business Journal, "Sonoma County judge rules to change language on SMART ballot", September 2, 2008

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