What Would Measure A Fund?

The spending plan includes:
 

Strong Support for Local Transit and Safe Access to Schools

More than half the measure’s funding would support a variety of local transit improvements, including: local bus service, community shuttles, senior/disabled paratransit, school buses, rural buses, clean fuel vehicles, fare discounts for very low-income residents, and others. Another $36 million is dedicated to an access to schools program, which will support Marin’s landmark “Safe Routes to Schools” program and other programs – even including support for school crossing guards!

The Local Transportation Infrastructure program is more inclusive than most counties’ local streets & roads maintenance funding programs. Marin’s program explicitly calls out bikeways, sidewalks, and paths for support from this funding category. The only highway project is $25 million to help close a gap in the existing HOV lane on Highway 101.

Overall, the measure is expected to raise $332 million over the 20-year life of the measure, and would create the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) to manage the new 1/2-cent sales tax.

Measure A Does Not Include Controversial Highway & Rail Projects

Marin County’s most recent attempt at a transportation sales tax was in 1998. That measure failed, largely due to opposition from some groups who were concerned about environmental impacts of widening Highway 101 through the “Novato Narrows” (which would open Marin to more traffic from Sonoma County) and the SMART rail system.

Positions of TALC Members and Allies

In addition to TALC, this measure has the support of the Marin Conservation League and the local Sierra Club group, and Greenbelt Alliance is considering a support position. The only known opponents are the local taxpayers’ group. The environmental groups that opposed the 1998 measure are not opposing this new plan.

For more information

See www.marintransportation.org

and www.bettertransportationmarin.com