Stanislaus County, California, Sales Tax, Measure L (November 2016)
| Measure L: Stanislaus County Sales Tax |
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| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 ApprovedMajority required: 66.67% |
| Topic: |
| Local sales tax Expires in: 25 years |
| Related articles |
| Local sales tax on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Stanislaus County, California ballot measures County tax on the ballot |
| See also |
| Stanislaus County, California |
A sales tax measure was on the ballot for Stanislaus County voters in Stanislaus County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of imposing an additional 0.5 percent sales tax for 25 years to fund transportation improvements. |
| A no vote was a vote against imposing an additional 0.5 percent sales tax for 25 years to fund transportation improvements. |
A two-thirds (66.67%) vote was required for the approval of Measure L.
Election results
| Measure L | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 121,527 | 71.95% | ||
| No | 47,372 | 28.05% | ||
- Election results from Stanislaus County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
To provide funding for local transportation improvements including: fixing potholes/maintaining streets; improving emergency response; providing safe routes to schools; providing senior, veterans and disabled shuttle services; and improving safety/reducing traffic congestion on Highway 99/major streets; shall the Stanislaus County Transportation Authority enact a ½ cent sales tax, generating $38,000,000 annually for transportation projects, funds that cannot be taken by the State, requiring all money to be spent in Stanislaus County with citizens’ oversight for 25 years?[2] |
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Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Stanislaus County Counsel:
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Measure “L”, if approved by the voters of Stanislaus County, would impose a retail transactions and use tax in Stanislaus County at the rate of one-half of one percent (0.5%) per dollar for a period of 25 years in addition to any existing or future state or local sales tax. For example, five cents ($0.05) for transportation funding would be added to a $10.00 taxable transaction. The measure also would authorize the Stanislaus County Local Transportation Authority, who placed the measure on the ballot, to issue bonds to pay for local transportation projects described in the Expenditure Plan. Measure “L” is a special tax, and tax revenue received by the Stanislaus County Local Transportation Authority may be expended only for the local transportation improvement projects and programs set forth in the Expenditure Plan. The measure requires an annual report describing the actions and accomplishments in meeting the adopted Expenditure Plan, and creates an Oversight Committee to review and monitor use of all tax revenue and to insure that all funds are spent in accordance with the Expenditure Plan. The State of California cannot access or use the tax revenue generated by Measure “L.” All tax revenue would be used for transportation projects and programs within Stanislaus County and for the benefit of Stanislaus County residents. If approved, Measure “L” is estimated to generate $960 million over the 25 year life of the Measure. The Expenditure Plan requires that 65% of the revenue to be used by Stanislaus County and the 9 municipalities in the County for local streets and roads repair, traffic management projects, and bike and pedestrian improvements; 28% of the revenue to be used for regional transportation projects; and 7% of the revenue to be used for transportation related services, such as point-to-point services for seniors, veterans and persons with disabilities. This measure would become effective only upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of those voting on the measure. If the measure is approved, the sales tax would be imposed on the incorporated and unincorporated territory of the County of Stanislaus effective April 1, 2017.[2] |
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| —Stanislaus County Counsel[1] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[1]
- Jim DeMartini
- Adam Christianson
- Mickey C. Peabody
- William R. “Bill” Jackson
- Maria H. Silveira
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[1]
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Are you tired of driving over potholes and bad roads like we are? This November, there is one vote you can be proud to cast: YES on Measure L for better roads, safer streets and a stronger local economy in Stanislaus County. Measure L is a detailed transportation plan to repair our roads, reduce traffic congestion and improve safety on local streets and highways. YES on Measure L is 100% dedicated to improving the quality of life for Stanislaus County residents and businesses. Measure L will create good jobs and grow our local economy by providing over $1 Billion dollars of economic and infrastructure investment. This plan will: • Fix local roads and fill potholes in every community • Reduce traffic congestion on Highway 99 • Synchronize traffic signals on major streets • Improve highway safety and fix dangerous intersections • Provide point to point shuttle service for seniors and disabled persons • Improve emergency response times for sheriff, police and fire first responders • Make Stanislaus eligible for millions in state and federal matching funds to fix our local roads and highways • Create safer routes to schools through bike and pedestrian safety improvements. Measure L includes strong accountability measures. It requires an independent citizens’ oversight committee and annual financial and performance audits, so government can’t get in the way. Every penny raised by Measure L stays in Stanislaus County to improve local transportation. The State can’t touch it. Every city in Stanislaus County voted to support Measure L because local road repairs benefit everyone - drivers, cyclists, walkers, seniors, kids and businesses. Taxpayer advocates, seniors, educators, farmers, business groups, Republicans, Democrats and neighborhood leaders throughout our county all agree: vote YES on Measure L.[2] |
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Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[1]
- Bruce R. Frohman
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[1]
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I don’t mind paying my fair share of taxes. However, I resent being asked to pay one half percent extra on every purchase in the next 20 years to fund a welfare program for urban and residential developers. A substantial portion of funds collected will be spent on expressway and road widening projects to induce urban growth. Such projects should be paid for with Capital Facilities Fees collected from new urban growth. Why should you and I add to developer profits every time we buy something? Since 2000, the number of valley commuters to the Bay Area has doubled. Do you want more expressways so that more folks will commute from many new subdivisions built along new expressways? How will you benefit? If this proposal only fixed roads, I would support it. But this pork barrel tax gives average citizens little benefit. Your elected leaders had funds to build two six lane expressways in north Modesto, but couldn’t afford to repave existing streets? Do the expressways benefit you or homebuilders? I served on the Modesto City Council from 1999-2003. Before election, I saw developers influence elected leaders who granted immense subsidies. I spent my entire four years on the Council working to identify and eliminate gifts of public funds. Unfortunately, the same interest group lobbied for many proposed expenditures in Measure L. Studies were done at taxpayer expense about convincing voters to say yes. Don’t be manipulated into making the wrong choice. If you ignore my warning and approve this, you will pay for 20 years. Once it passes, you can’t stop it. Please say “no” to Measure L. Demand better[2] |
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Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Stanislaus County, California.
Recent news
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See also
External links
Footnotes
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