This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/la/ for current information.
LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Smart Voter
Los Angeles County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
Measure R
Traffic Relief - Rail Extensions - Reduce Foreign Oil Dependence
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Sales Tax Increase - Two-Thirds Majority Approval Required

Pass: 2,039,214 / 67.93% Yes votes ...... 962,569 / 32.07% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures
Results as of Nov 28 5:11pm, 100.00% of Precincts Reporting (4,883/4,883)
Information shown below: Official Information | Impartial Analysis |

To:
  • Synchronize traffic signals;
  • Repair potholes;
  • Extend light rail with airport connections;
  • Improve freeway traffic flow (5, 10, 14, 60, 101, 110, 138, 210, 405, 605, 710);
  • Keep senior / student / disabled fares low;
  • Provide clean-fuel buses;
  • Expand subway / Metrolink / bus service;
  • Dedicate millions for community traffic relief;

Shall Los Angeles County’s sales tax increase one-half cent for 30 years with independent audits, public review of expenditures, all locally controlled?

Official Sources of Information

Impartial Analysis from Raymond G. Fortner, Jr.
County Counsel
Approval of Measure R would approve the adoption of an ordinance, proposed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the County of Los Angeles (“Metro”), for the imposition of a one-half of 1 percent transactions and use tax (commonly and hereinafter referred to as “Sales Tax”), for a period of 30 years, and an expenditure plan.

Funds received from the tax would be used for expanding new rail and bus systems, enhancing existing rail and bus systems, accelerating existing transportation projects, improving highways, carpool lanes, goods movement, grade separations, and soundwalls, suspending scheduled fare increases for one year and freezing all Metro student, senior, disabled and medicare fares through 2013, resurfacing, rehabilitating, and reconstructing streets, improving and/or adding left turn signals, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, streetscapes, and signal synchronization, repairing potholes, and making rail and bus system and yard improvements.

The Sales Tax would be imposed in the same manner as existing sales taxes. The Sales Tax would be imposed upon all retailers in the incorporated and unincorporated territory of the County of Los Angeles on gross receipts of the retailer, as well as an excise tax on the storage, use or other consumption of tangible personal property purchased from a retailer.

All Sales Tax revenues and interest thereon would be allocated solely for the transportation purposes described in the ordinance. Such funds would be available only for projects and programs described in the expenditure plan of the ordinance. Metro would contract for an annual audit to be completed within 6 months after the end of each fiscal year to determine compliance with the ordinance during that fiscal year. The ordinance would require establishment of an Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee (“Committee”) consisting of 3 retired judges residing in Los Angeles County. The Committee would review the annual audit, make findings and an annual report as to whether Metro has complied with the terms of the ordinance, and hold a public hearing on each audit and report.

Metro may make certain amendments to the ordinance by two thirds (2/3) vote of the Board but only within the limitations and restrictions as specified in the ordinance.

This measure requires a two thirds (2/3) vote of the qualified votes cast in the election. The Sales Tax would be imposed only if authorizing legislation consistent with the ordinance is approved by the State Legislature and effective prior to January 2, 2009. Assuming these approvals are obtained, the sales tax would be imposed starting on July 1, 2009.

   Official Information

Metropolitan Transit Authority
Organizations in Favor

Facebook Group
News and Analysis

Google News Search

This election is archived. Any links to sources outside of Smart Voter may no longer be active. No further links will be added to this page.
Links to sources outside of Smart Voter are provided for information only and do not imply endorsement.

Los Angeles Home Page || Statewide Links || About Smart Voter || Feedback
Created: January 24, 2009 10:34 PST
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.