Alameda County Can Ask Voters to Raise Taxes to Pay for Transportation Projects

The following is a press release issued Monday by the office of state Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski, D- Fremont:

Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation by Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) today to give Alameda County the option to put a November 2012 measure on the ballot to fund transportation infrastructure improvements.

“The county is updating its transportation plan and this legislation gives it the option to ask voters to invest in long-term improvements in Alameda County,” Wieckowski said. “The potential is there to create jobs to repair our roads and maintain our infrastructure to meet the needs of local residents and businesses.”

AB 1086 provides a one-time exemption from the existing 2 percent cap on local sales taxes. Recent sales tax measures approved in San Leandro and Union City would otherwise have prevented a countywide measure because it would exceed the 2 percent cap. Wieckowski’s bill would allow a November 2012 measure to take effect if it receives the required two-thirds support from county voters.

“We appreciate Assemblymember Wieckowski’s leadership in authoring AB 1086, which allows Alameda County residents a choice to improve transportation throughout Alameda County,” said Union City Mayor Mark Green, chair of the Alameda County Transportation Commission.  “Governor Brown did the right thing in signing AB 1086 today since it supports his ideas of government reorganization throughout the state.  It is now up to the elected officials in Alameda County to forge the creation of a new transportation expenditure plan that voters will approve in November 2012.”

The Alameda County Transportation Commission is holding community meetings throughout the county as it prepares to update its long-term plan. 

AB 1086 is the second Wieckowski bill signed by Governor Brown. On Sept. 6, he signed AB 255, to make it easier and less expensive for businesses to manage latex paint waste and to encourage proper disposal.  Studies suggest up to half of leftover paint is illegally discarded in landfills. Wieckowski has seven bills remaining on the governor’s desk.