Measure A is a district ordinance proposed by a citizens’ initiative petition signed by the requisite number of voters and submitted by the Sacramento Transportation Authority (“STA”), without alteration, to the voters. Measure A would impose a retail transactions and use tax (sales tax) within Sacramento County of one-half of one percent for a period of 40 years from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2063, for the purpose of financing certain transportation projects and services. This sales tax would be in addition to the existing one-half of one percent transportation sales tax adopted by the voters in 2004, which is set to expire in 2039. The proceeds of this tax will be used to fund “Off the Top” project expenditures to be directly allocated to recipient agencies in the following maximum amounts: $64 million to Sacramento County for preservation, maintenance and safety of the American River Parkway, $20 million to the City of Sacramento for development of a Regional Mobility Center, $8 million to Sacramento Area Council of Governments for distribution to transportation management agencies in Sacramento County, $80 million to the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission for the Altamont Corridor Express service, and $40 million to the City of Sacramento for the Sacramento Intermodal Transportation Facility.
All remaining revenue must be used to fund local street and road repairs and improvements (47.25%), Sacramento Regional Transit (“Sac RT”) light rail and bus vehicle replacement, operations and maintenance (25.11%), congestion relief improvements (22.43%), senior and disabled transportation services (3.05%), and Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District air quality programs (2.16%). The maximum that can be spent on STA administration is 1% of Measure A tax proceeds.
Each recipient agency must annually prepare and adopt a five-year program that is approved by the STA Board. Expenditures for the first five years shall prioritize “Fix It First” road, transit, bicycle and pedestrian investments. During this five-year period, not less than 90% of the funds identified in the local street and road repairs and improvement fund shall be used exclusively by all recipient cities and the County of Sacramento to improve streets, roads and bridges to specified levels. During this fiveyear period, a portion of the funds allocated to Sac RT shall be used exclusively by Sac RT for “Fix It First” bus and light rail vehicle replacement, operations, maintenance and security for existing services, and Sac RT shall meet specified performance metrics.
The text of the Transportation Expenditure Plan is set forth in the sample ballot pamphlet for this election.
Source: County Counsel's Impartial Analysis of Measure A