San Francisco Transportation Authority backs reaffirming support for SB 63, seeks 1% local participation

The San Francisco County Transportation Authority on July 22 reaffirmed its support in concept for Senate Bill 63 and recommended that San Francisco participate in a proposed regional transportation sales tax at a 1 percent rate, while adopting principles to guide the city's engagement as the bill is amended.

The authority's staff presentation said the bill, as drafted, would form a multi-county transportation revenue district with Alameda, Contra Costa and San Francisco as default participating counties and San Mateo and Santa Clara able to opt in by Aug. 11. If all five counties join and San Francisco participates at a 1 percent rate while other counties participate at one-half cent, the measure is forecast to generate roughly $1 billion annually, the presentation said. Most revenues would be dedicated to supporting transit operations for major operators named in the bill, including Muni, BART, Caltrain and AC Transit.

Board members and staff framed the action as necessary to avoid large, near-term operating shortfalls. Staff presented an estimate of more than $800 million in annual operating shortfalls for the four major operators named in the bill beginning in fiscal year 2027. The bill also contains a provision authorizing…