SAN DIEGO (CNS) - County Measure G -- a proposed half-cent sales tax to fund transit projects, road and highway repairs and transportation maintenance -- was still being narrowly defeated Friday as vote-counting continued, with "no" votes at 51.7% compared to 48.2% in favor.
According to the county Registrar of Voters, the "no" votes stood at 500,652, while the "yes" votes were at 467,514 following the most recent update. The margin has shrunk since election night and the race remained too close to call, with about a half-million ballots still left to be processed in the county.
Measure G, needing a simple majority to pass, would authorize spending the sales-tax proceeds on a number of transit-related operations. They would be divided by:
-- 50% to capital projects related to transit
-- 27% toward capital projects related to road and highway traffic flow and commuter safety
-- 12% on transit operations for the Metropolitan Transit System and North County Transit District
-- 7% for streets, road maintenance and active transportation
-- 2% on rail transit-related repairs, rehabilitation and replacement
-- no more than 2% on general administration
The measure would also create an oversight committee intended to ensure the tax proceeds are spent as outlined in the measure.
Supporters said Measure G would generate $350 million annually for projects that will improve safety by repairing aging, deteriorating infrastructure, and reduce traffic by funding rapid transit projects. Reducing car commutes and encouraging more people to take public transportation will also lead to air quality improvements and other environmental benefits, according to supporters.
But opponents said the tax increase would hurt residents already burdened by the high costs of living in San Diego County, and that two-thirds of the funding would support public transit projects that are less suitable for county residents than highway-related projects.
Opponents also said that SANDAG -- the San Diego Association of Governments, which has weathered controversies over the years regarding its practices and management -- does not have a good track record and has failed to come through on transportation improvement promises in the past.
Measure G proponents said the oversight committee created by the measure would conduct annual audits and can refer individuals for criminal prosecution if funds are misused.
Among those opposing Measure G were County Supervisor Jim Desmond, 75th Assembly District candidate Carl DeMaio, and Haney Hong, president and CEO of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association.
A similar half-cent sales tax increase for county transportation initiatives failed in 2016. That measure garnered 58% approval but required a two-thirds majority, unlike Measure G, which needed only a simple majority because it was a citizens initiative.
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