Sentinel staff report–
The Sacramento Transportation Authority voted Wednesday to reverse course and pull a proposed tax measure from the November ballot that sought to provide more than $8 billion in funds for road, highway and transit projects in Sacramento County over 40 years.
The board in May had voted by a two-thirds majority of its 16 members to put the half-percent sales tax measure on the ballot, but opinions changed following a privately funded survey that found the measure would fall short of passing in November, due to ongoing economic uncertainty and political unrest.
Polling from FM3 Research found around 54% support for the tax proposal, with 41% opposed and 5% undecided. The tax measure would have needed two-thirds support to pass.
A staff report from STA Executive Director Will Kempton said poll results show the measure “is not viable with the current level of support, and even with a strong program of public education and outreach to boost that support, the effort may be insufficient given the changing economic and social climate.”
Sue Frost, a Sacramento County supervisor representing Citrus Heights, celebrated the “killing” of the tax measure in a Facebook post following the vote.
“I am extremely grateful to those of who you took the time to write and call the Board to let us know your thoughts,” wrote Frost. “You truly made a difference by helping let the Board know how much opposition there really is to tax increases right now.”
The board heard more than 45 minutes of testimony from residents who called in to the remote meeting during public comment, overwhelmingly opposed to the tax measure. Roughly 150 emails were also received, with just five in support, according to a report to the board from STA staff.
