There are only five taxes that you have to vote on this time around (30, 38, 39, A and D) so when better to have agencies start planning for the next batch. The SF Examiner is highlighting a survey done by the San Mateo County Transit District that appears to indicate another 1/4 cent sales tax could pass. The article notes
When first asked, 63 percent of San Mateo County voters said they would support a quarter-cent sales tax increase to provide funding for SamTrans and Caltrain. And after pollsters presented context and information about the need for a dedicated funding source, that rate increased to 66 percent, said Jayme Ackemann, communications manager for Caltrain. Ackemann noted that opposition efforts to tax measures usually knock a few percentage points off support ratings come election time. For the proposal to pass, it would need two-thirds approval.
SamTrans currently receives about $60 million a year from a half-cent sales tax, meaning a quarter-cent measure would likely raise half that amount. Last year, Caltrain dealt with a $30 million shortfall with unsustainable one-time funding measures. SamTrans has had its own budget issues, which forced the agency to cut its funding contributions to Caltrain.
Ackemann stressed that the poll was conducted simply to provide options for both SamTrans and Caltrain. The agencies have not made decisions on when, or if, they will move forward with the San Mateo County-only option.
The piece goes on to note that some think San Fran and Santa Clara counties should probably contribute as well--but that has been the essence of the challenge from the beginning. In related news, the City's e-newletter notes the SMTC is soliciting citizen board members for Caltrain's sister, SamTrans.
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