Measure C, Sonoma County Sales Tax Increase Defeated

Despite a campaign in which proponents of Measures B and C outspent opponents by more than 20 to one, voters today rejected Measure C, a county-wide $625 million sales tax increase. Voters opposed the Measure because they lacked confidence in the Measure’s promise to reduce congestion or sprawl and rejected using sales taxes to fund highway expansion. Possible uses of Measure C funds included widening Highway 101 and establishing a rail system, but neither investment would have provided an effective response to the County’s growing traffic or sprawl problems.

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) along with Citizens Against Wasting Millions, The Russian River Task Force and The Sonoma County Taxpayers’ Association, which led the opposition against the Measure, are calling for the Sonoma County Supervisors to consider a bold vision and fresh approaches to regional gridlock that do not require a sales tax for road building. Instead the coalition suggests that transportation user fees fund road construction and Express Carpool Lanes be considered if Highway 101 is to be widened. The county’s sales tax should be saved exclusively for effective transit options and open space protection.

“As we move ahead, the coalition looks forward to working with all in Sonoma County, including our opponents in today’s election who are committed to finding solutions to the county’s transportation problems. We share common objectives in that we all want to increase mobility, restrict sprawl, and generally improve residents’ quality of life,” said Michael Cameron, EDF transportation program manager.

Today EDF released a detailed report on the best way to relieve congestion on Sonoma County’s Highway 101 without increasing the county’s sales tax. Drawing on the results of the county’s own study, EDF’s report shows that adding an Express Carpool Lane to Highway 101, paid for by solo drivers who use the carpool lane, could be 45% more effective at reducing congestion than the new lane proposed in Measure B, the non-binding transportation advisory measure that proponents claimed would direct Measure C funds. The Express Lane would also preserve the County’s local sales tax authority for transit and open space protection, which otherwise lacks adequate funding.

“Despite proponents spending over $400,000 in this campaign, voters rejected Measure C because the county has not yet considered all transportation options to improve mobility. EDF’s report showed that an Express Carpool Lane would be more effective at reducing congestion, it’s self-financing, and would preserve the local sales tax for transit solutions that would otherwise go underfunded or unfunded,” said Meg Krehbiel, EDF policy analyst.

“We honor the hard work of our colleagues on both sides of Measures B and C, and we’re ready to move forward together with effective approaches to reduce gridlock, “said Laura Hall, principal urban planner at Fisher and Hall and Citizens Against Wasting Millions spokesperson.