Voters Support Improved Mobility in Los Angeles County with Measure R

Measure R was approved by 67.2% of Los Angeles County voters. It adds another 1/2% local sales tax for transportation, increasing the countywide sales tax from 8.25 to 8.75 percent, to provide $40 billion over 30 years for roads and public transit. Funding will be allocated as follows:

• 35 percent for new rail lines/rapid busways, including extension of the Wilshire subway, Exposition rail (downtown L.A. to Santa Monica), Crenshaw corridor (Wilshire to LAX), San Fernando Valley north-south Rapidways, and Gold Line extension.
• 20 percent for highway improvements, including adding lanes to I-5 (from SR 134 to SR 170 and from I-605 to the Orange County line) and separating freight railroad tracks from surface streets to reduce congestion and improve safety.
• 20 percent for bus transit operations and maintenance.
• 15 percent to every city and the county to synchronize traffic signals, add left-turn lanes, resurface and repair roads, and fund transit, bicycle, and pedestrian programs.
• 10 percent for local and commuter rail operations.
• No more than 1.5 percent for administration.

Measure R was supported by L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Police Commissioner John Mack, former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan, and representatives from the L.A. County Business Federation, Environment NOW, and the Valley Industry and Commerce Association. Opponents included County supervisors Mike Antonovich, Don Knabe, and Gloria Molina, and local elected officials from the cities of Duarte, Glendale, Long Beach, Pasadena, and Pomona.

Supporters stated that the measure would provide congestion relief for every part of the county; expand rail transit and keep bus fares low for seniors, students, and the disabled; synchronize traffic signals; and provide local control over expenditures. Opponents said that Measure R wouldn’t distribute funds fairly and wouldn’t ensure that priority projects would be completed or that bus transit services would be expanded.

The Auto Club supported Measure R. The Club’s position was that, despite considerable disagreement in the development of the spending plan, Measure R would deliver transit and road improvements across the county. The Auto Club participated in the discussions to ensure more money was provided for critical road improvements. We also secured voter and taxpayer protections, including stronger audits and a guarantee that officials cannot make major changes to the spending plan for at least 10 years. For about $25 per year per county resident, Measure R will address growing traffic congestion, improve traffic safety, facilitate economic growth, and provide alternative transportation options.

To learn more about the Measure R ballot proposal, visit www.metro.net/measureR.

For more information on Measure R developed by the Auto Club, see this brochure.