Voter Guide 2004: Measure A would extend transportation sales tax for 25 years Voter Guide 2004: Measure A would extend transportation sales tax for 25 years (October 13, 2004)

New measure would raise $1.5 billion for transportation projects in San Mateo County; two-thirds vote required

By Marion Softky
Almanac Staff Writer

After a year and a half of buildup, San Mateo County voters will finally get to say whether they want to continue paying a half-cent sales tax to improve transportation in the county for 25 more years, from 2009 through 2034.

Measure A would continue the 20-year sales tax passed in 1988, which has bought the Caltrain right-of-way, and pumped more than $1 billion into county transportation projects ranging from freeway and local street improvements to buses and building rail bridges over roads.

If passed in November, the next Measure A would raise an estimated $1.5 billion over 25 years for a similar set of projects. Used as matching funds, Measure A revenues could attract some $2 to $4 billion in federal and state grants for transportation in the county.

While it has strong support, Measure A remains a horse race because it requires a two-thirds vote to pass.

Crafted over a year and a half in technical discussions, public workshops and public hearings, Measure A has the support of all San Mateo County's 20 city councils, the Board of Supervisors, the League of Women Voters, the Committee for Green Foothills, San Mateo County Economic Development Association, the San Mateo County Labor Council, and numerous residents and business owners.

"Imagine the traffic nightmare without the $1 billion in traffic improvement projects made over the last 16 years," say supporters in the ballot argument. "Imagine traffic in the future if Measure A is not renewed."

Opponents are more scattered and include former Assemblyman Lou Papan, county controller and former supervisor Tom Huening, and San Carlos Councilman Matt Grocott.

"This is an omnibus bill with something for everybody, but no firm commitment," said Bruce Balshone of Citizens for Better Transit and chair of the Caltrain Citizens Advisory Committee. "It's going to be driven by politics."

What's in Measure A

Measure A is complicated. It takes up 28 pages of the 48-page sample ballot.

The expenditure plan divides the $1.5 billion according to expenditure categories, with 30 percent for transit, 27.5 percent for highways, 22.5 percent for local streets and transportation, 15 percent for Caltrain grade separations, 3 percent for pedestrian and bicycle projects, and 2 percent for other costs.

Highway funds would be targeted to congestion hotspots, such as the interchange between Woodside Road and Bayshore Freeway.

Sixteen percent of transit funds, or $240 million over 25 years, would go to Caltrain. Four percent each would go to local shuttle service and to special services for the frail and disabled. Two percent each -- $1.2 million a year -- would go to the existing BART service north of Millbrae, to matching funds for "cost-effective ferry service" to South San Francisco and Redwood City, and to stations or local improvements through Redwood City, east Menlo Park and East Palo Alto for new rail service across the Dumbarton railroad bridge.

The new Measure A includes other changes from the original Measure A, which expires at the end of 2008. It would last 25 years instead of 20. It would also allocate up to half the funds available to Caltrain to support operating expenses.

Opponents particularly object to the funds that would support new ferry service and BART. "The BART and ferry categories show how the special interests dictate the future transportation needs for the county," says an information sheet from Citizens for Better Transit.

Supervisor Rich Gordon, who serves on the Transportation Authority, noted that neither BART nor ferries received major funding. "Measure A still funds primarily Caltrain and highway improvements -- including a significant portion for local streets and roads," he said.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.