Committee clears bill letting San Luis Obispo voters decide on countywide transportation tax above 2%

Senator Laird presented Senate Bill 333, which would allow San Luis Obispo County voters to decide whether to raise the combined local sales tax rate above 2 percent to fund transportation projects. The Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation voted to pass the bill to the Senate floor.

Laird said several cities in San Luis Obispo County are near the statutory 2 percent limit and that SB 333 would enable countywide discussion and allow voters to choose, noting the bill itself does not raise taxes. “This still leaves it in the hands of the people,” Laird said.

Gus Corey, speaking for the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), testified in support and described the county as the only Central Coast county without a self‑help sales tax for transportation. Corey said the measure would allow cities and the county to propose infrastructure investments and, if voters approve, use local revenues to leverage additional funds for projects such as US 101 and disaster-response repairs.

Committee members asked questions about local support and the measure’s mechanics. One member noted the council of governments’ broad support and urged scrutiny of what cities agreed to. After discussion, a motion to pass SB 333 to the Senate floor carried; the roll call recorded Senators McNerney — aye; Senator Valadares — no; Ashby — aye; Grayson — aye; Umberg — aye. The committee reported the bill to the Senate floor with a 4–1 vote.

Discussion vs. decision: the committee’s discussion addressed whether enabling a vote would disadvantage the county in regional funding competitions and noted the bill does not itself impose a tax. The formal decision was to pass the bill to the Senate floor for further consideration.

Votes at a glance SB 333 — Motion: pass to Senate floor. Outcome: passed (roll call recorded as McNerney — aye; Valadares — no; Ashby — aye; Grayson — aye; Umberg — aye).