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Committee advances resolution to craft expenditure plan for possible half‑cent transportation sales tax
Summary
Supervisors advanced a resolution asking the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, mayor's office and SFMTA to develop an expenditure plan for a potential half‑cent sales tax to appear on the November 2016 ballot; the Committee adopted clarifying amendments emphasizing equity, Vision Zero safety goals and regional commitments.
The Rules Committee on May 12 advanced a resolution urging the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, in partnership with the mayor’s office and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, to develop a transportation expenditure plan tied to a potential half‑cent sales tax for the November 2016 ballot.
Supervisor Scott Wiener, co‑sponsoring with Supervisor David Avalos, told the Committee the Transportation 2030 Task Force recommended a multi‑pronged approach to close a multibillion‑dollar capital funding gap for transit, including recurring funding through a sales tax. Wiener said the measure would support Muni, BART vehicle programs, Caltrain and Vision Zero street‑safety investments.
Wiener circulated several amendments to clarify the resolution's focus on equity and safety. Jeremy Pollack, legislative aide to Supervisor Avalos, and public commenters including Nicole Ferraro of WALC San Francisco and members of the Transportation Justice Coalition urged a strong public engagement process and said the measure should direct funds to low‑income and transit‑dependent communities.
A public commenter cited an MTA capital shortfall of about $21 billion over the next 20 years; speakers noted timing and coordination with other potential November bond measures would be required. The Committee adopted the amendments and voted to send the resolution forward as a committee report, without recorded objection.
Next steps identified by speakers include broader community outreach to develop a clear expenditure plan and coordination among the Transportation Authority, SFMTA, the mayor’s office and community stakeholders.
