UCI

Measure M Sales Tax

Most Orange County residents today (68%) are satisfied with the way that Measure M tax revenues are being used for transportation projects in the county. Fourteen percent report being very satisfied with the allocation of these funds, another 54 percent say they are somewhat satisfied, and 18 percent say they are not satisfied. This assessment is very much in line with opinions over the past few years (for example, a 68% satisfaction rating in 2000). However, these results are markedly changed from the first ratings in 1992, when only 48 percent of the county's registered voters reported being very or somewhat satisfied with the way these funds were being used.

North and South County residents are about equally satisfied with the way Measure M funds are being used (70% and 65%), as are Democrats and Republicans (69% and 64%), while Latinos are much more satisfied than whites (82% versus 64%). County residents across age, education, and income groups express satisfaction with the implementation of this local tax.

When it comes to extending the Measure M sales tax beyond the current 2011 expiration date, 62 percent of all adults, as well as 62 percent of registered voters, say they would vote to continue the tax for another 20 years. Support for the extension is higher than it was in the 2000 Orange County Survey, when 55 percent of registered voters said they would vote yes on such a measure. However, even at 62 percent, the measure would fail to meet the two-thirds vote requirement.

Most Democrats (71%) would vote to extend Measure M, compared to less than two-thirds of independents (60%) and barely half of Republicans (53%). There are no differences between North and South County residents. Majority, but not two-thirds, support for extending Measure M, is found among whites, homeowners, older, college educated, and higher-income residents.

If the half-cent sales tax measure in Orange County were expanded to include "other infrastructure projects" as well as local transportation, 62 percent of registered voters would support it, and thus the measure would still fail to meet the two-thirds threshold for passing a local sales tax.