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Funding Transportation Projects Through the Local Sales Tax
The local transportation sales tax (funded through Measure M in Orange County) is one of the primary means that local
governments have for financing transportation projects. State law currently requires that two-thirds of the voters in a local
election approve a tax increase or extension for it to pass. Although some policymakers and transportation planners have
argued that this is too difficult a hurdle, 71 percent of Orange County residents (and 70% of registered voters) think the
two-thirds majority requirement is a good thing. Large majorities of both North County (72%) and South County (69%) residents
favor the two-thirds requirement. Residents across party affiliations and racial/ethnic, education, age, and income groups
think that the current requirement is acceptable. The only significant difference of opinion about whether the two-thirds
requirement is a good thing is between conservatives (77%) and liberals (65%), but both groups highly favor the current
law.
"Do you think that requiring a two-thirds majority vote for passing a local sales tax
for local transportation projects is a good thing or a bad thing?"
|
All Adults |
Party Registration |
|
Democrat |
Republican |
Independent |
|
Good thing |
71% |
67% |
72% |
71% |
|
Bad thing |
23 |
27 |
24 |
26 |
|
Don't know |
6 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
The two-thirds majority requirement sets a high bar for raising local sales taxes, and in November 2000 the state’s voters
supported a reduction of the two-thirds requirement for local school bonds to 55 percent. However, substantial support for the
two-thirds requirement and a widespread belief that local governments have enough funding for roads and other infrastructure
undermine support for a similar measure for local transportation projects. Only 43 percent of residents (and 41 percent of
registered voters) say they would vote for an initiative that would change the two-thirds vote to a 55 percent requirement for
transportation.
There are, however, wide divisions of opinion on this initiative. Democrats are much more likely than Republicans (53% to 33%)
to say they would vote to change the required level to 55 percent, as are liberals compared to conservatives (56% to 35%) and
Latinos compared to whites (63% to 35%). Support for the 55 percent rule declines with age, education, homeownership, and
income.
"What if there was a state ballot measure that would change the two-thirds majority to a 55 percent vote
for passing a local sales tax for transportation projects? Would you vote yes or no?"
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All Adults |
Party Registration |
|
Democrat |
Republican |
Independent |
|
Yes |
43% |
53% |
33% |
43% |
|
No |
50 |
40 |
62 |
51 |
|
Don't know |
7 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
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