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Senate approves county option to ask voters for quarter‑percent transit sales tax amid funding safeguards
Summary
Second‑substitute SB292 lets counties ask voters to approve an additional quarter‑percent sales tax dedicated to bus, carpool and low‑fare transit programs; senators debated amendments to prevent diversion for light‑rail projects and to protect federal funding.
Senate Bill 292, offered by Senator Reese as a second substitute on the floor, would permit counties to put before voters a quarter‑percent sales‑tax increase dedicated to expanding bus, vanpool and no‑/low‑fare transit services and programs. Sponsors said the proposal would empower local voters to decide on new transit funding and help regional mobility.
Debate focused on how dedicated revenues could be used and on protecting eligibility for federal transportation funds. One floor amendment proposed to remove a statutory restriction that designated the first quarter‑percent for bus systems (and thereby leave more flexibility for light‑rail or other uses); proponents of the restriction argued that removing it could allow the proceeds to be redirected and might jeopardize federal matching funds in negotiations with U.S. agencies.
Senators discussed coordination with county commissioners and metropolitan planners; proponents said the intent was to ensure funds are used for expanded bus/vanpool service and rider programs, and that local voters should have the choice. After votes on voice and standing counts on the proposed amendments, the Senate proceeded under suspension of the rules to record a roll‑call vote and the transcript records the bill as passing (reported as 69 ayes, 12 nays, 1 absent in the final tally reported on the floor). The bill was sent to the House for further action.
Provenance
Coverage is based on the recorded floor debate introducing the second substitute ("Senate bill 2 92, public transit tax for expanded bus system by Senator Reese") and on the later roll‑call tally recorded in the transcript ("Senate Bill 2 92... shows 69 ayes, 12 nays, 1 absent.").
Why it matters
The bill would give counties a clear mechanism to seek voter approval for a dedicated local revenue stream for transit services. Reporters should follow how county referenda are drafted, whether language is further restricted or clarified in the House, and how regional planning bodies treat any new local funding streams when applying for federal transportation funds.
