'Heartbreaking' Report Delivered to Sacramento Transportation Authority
Sacramento City Councilmember Eric Gurrera reported on initial polling.
Despite their efforts, the Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) has been unsuccessful over the last 11 years in raising sales taxes on a countywide basis to fund a variety of transit projects. During their October 9 meeting, a brief update on possible future sales tax hikes was presented, which, according to the messenger, was "heartbreaking."
Speaking near the end of the 35-minute meeting, Sacramento City Councilmember and STA Director Eric Gurrera reported on initial polling for another sales tax measure. As a member of the STAs Transportation Funding Subcommittee, Guerra said the results were not favorable (see video below).
"The subcommittee will meet to dive deeper into some of the results," Guerra said. "I would say the results are both heartbreaking but also extremely fascinating."
Although Guerra did not elaborate on the type of polling, in the past, the STA and other independent groups have conducted surveys to gauge voter support of a countywide sales tax increase. Given Guerra's assessments, Sacramento County voters, especially in the current inflationary period, are probably not in favor of imposing further sales taxes on themselves.
In 2016, the STA failed to receive a super majority of 66.6 percent for the 30-year $3 billion tax hike. In 2022, Measure A, which was placed on the ballot by an independent group, would have generated an $8.5 billion tax increase over 40 years and was also rejected.
This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1233, which will allow the STA to pursue sales tax hikes in specific areas within the county. Previously, a sales tax would have had to be voted on by the entire county.
Notwithstanding the new legislation, the STA still faces substantial hurdles from environmentalists, tax activists, and progressives who oppose sales tax because of its regressive nature. In 2022, a diverse coalition of opponents united against well-funded billionaires who advocated for a significant tax increase on behalf of the STA.
The results of the survey will be released at a future STA meeting. The next meeting is on November 13.
During the October 9 meeting, Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen skipped the session, and Elk Grove's other representative, Councilmember Kevin Spease, was present.
