South Placer County residents to vote on traffic relief measure
Measure B would raise millions of dollars each year for transportation projects aimed at reducing traffic in Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln through a 30 year, half-cent sales tax.
Measure B would raise millions of dollars each year for transportation projects aimed at reducing traffic in Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln through a 30 year, half-cent sales tax.
Measure B would raise millions of dollars each year for transportation projects aimed at reducing traffic in Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln through a 30 year, half-cent sales tax.
Voters in three south Placer County cities are deciding on a sales tax increase.
Measure B would raise millions of dollars each year for transportation projects aimed at reducing traffic in Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln through a 30-year, half-cent sales tax.
The money raised would be used for transportation projects like widening Highway 65, improving the Interstate 80 Highway 65 interchange and other local road repairs.
If approved, it would raise $41 million annually. The money can only be used for transportation in the district and can't be taken by the state.
Advocates said it's a necessary measure to help reduce traffic and keep bringing business to Placer County. Those against it said taxpayers are already paying enough.
"Use the money they're already collecting to build the roads and budget correctly for the roads we need built, instead of asking us to pay more money,” Mark Wright, Placer County Republican Party chairman, said. “That’s the main issue with having all these extra things added to the ballot that add more onto the backs of people who are trying to make a living in Placer County.”
“I think one of the key pieces to remember is that just at the Roseville Galleria, 60% of the shoppers who go there are from outside Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln, which means we're all taking just a little piece of the pie,” Shanti Landon, Placer County Supervisor for District 2, said. “At the end of the day, a half-cent sales tax is not what is going to kill our business. What's going to kill our businesses, is not being able to drive on Highway 65.”
Measure B requires support from two-thirds of voters to pass. If passed, a citizen's oversight committee will be appointed to ensure tax revenue is used in line with the plan.
For more information about the November election, including key issues and races on the ballot, check out the KCRA 3 Voter Guide.