San Jose BART extension in trouble after tax-increase ballot measure defeated

On June 6, 2006, Santa Clara County voters soundly rejected Measure A, which proposed a half-cent tax increase designed to rescue the financially struggling BART extension to Santa Clara County.  Measure A was defeated 127,935 (57.41%) “no” votes to 94,891 (42.59%) “yes” votes.

The $4.7 billion BART extension is now in serious doubt, as without the additional Measure A funds, the Valley Transit Authority lacks the money to operate the 16.1 mile extension and federal officials won’t approve a $750 million contribution to the project unless VTA comes up with a stable financial plan.

Largest public works bond in California history on November ballot

On May 5, 2006, California lawmakers approved a series of bills that would place a record $37.3 billion public works spending plan before voters in November, reviving the earlier proposal that failed to pass the Legislature earlier this year when lawmakers and the governor could not reach a compromise.

 

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