Towns asked to back Measure A tax Towns asked to back Measure A tax (May 12, 2004)

Atherton's City Council will be asked to endorse Measure A re-authorization, the half-cent, San Mateo County transportation sales tax, at its Wednesday, May 19, meeting. But even if Atherton backs the proposal, Measure A still has a long road to approval ahead of it.

Before the tax renewal can get on the November ballot, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority needs endorsements from 50 percent of the county's towns, representing 50 percent of the county's population. Once the endorsements are secured, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors must vote in favor of putting it on the ballot with a two-thirds vote.

In order to pass, at least two-thirds of voters must approve it.

Other local public hearings are scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, in Portola Valley; Tuesday, June 8, in Woodside; and Tuesday, June 15, in Menlo Park.

Atherton City Council meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are held in the Town Council Chambers, 94 Ashfield Road. For meeting information, call 752-0500 or go to the town's web site, www.ci.atherton.ca.us.

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