Opponents of Measure G, Proposed Half-Cent Sales Tax Boost, Claim Victory

Opponents of Measure G, a proposed countywide half-cent sales tax to fund transit, road and transportation projects, declared victory Wednesday.

Nov 14, 2024 - 02:47
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Opponents of Measure G, Proposed Half-Cent Sales Tax Boost, Claim Victory
Students board trolley
Students board trolley
Transit and rail projects would have been beneficiaries of Measure G. Photo by Chris Jennewein

Opponents of Measure G, a proposed countywide half-cent sales tax to fund transit, road and transportation maintenance, declared victory Wednesday.

In the release of the latest set of election returns, “no” votes cast led by around 30,000 – 51.1% to 48.9%. The county still has around 77,000 ballots left to process.

“San Diegans stood up for common sense,” said Miles Himmel of No on Measure G.

He specifically called out the San Diego Association of Governments, saying the vote “shows that people will not allow an agency like SANDAG to mismanage millions of taxpayer dollars without consequences.”

Measure G needed a simple majority to pass and would have authorized spending the new proceeds on various transportation projects including transit, roads and highways, commuter safety and rail-related repairs.

Supporters said Measure G would generate $350 million annually for work that would improve safety by repairing aging, deteriorating infrastructure. But opponents said two-thirds of the funding would support public transit projects that are less suitable for county residents than highway-related projects.

A similar half-cent sales tax increase for county transportation initiatives failed in 2016. That measure garnered 58% approval but required a two-thirds majority, unlike Measure G, which needed only a simple majority because it was an initiative, which qualify for the ballot based on collected signatures.

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