State Senator Hill Jerry Hill issued a last-minute bill update that would allow San Mateo County to increase its sales tax cap, removing a barrier preventing the county from putting a transportation tax on the ballot. Hill added the bill provision on Thursday, September 3, after Governor Brown unexpectedly vetoed a bill to that would have more generally allowed local governments to raise the sales tax limit; based on feedback that a narrower bill would be received more favorably.

The existing cap on local sales tax limits San Mateo County’s ability to put a new transportation tax on the ballot since at least two cities – San Mateo and Half Moon Bay – are near the cap (9.25%). The San Mateo County Transportation Authority is exploring the possibility of pursuing a 0.5% sales tax measure to address severe traffic congestion along Highway 101 and address the state’s greenhouse gas emissions goals, to fund Caltrain capacity, grade separation, and other transit improvements, as well as operational improvements to ease congestion.

The measure SB705 is being launched via the “gut and amend” technique, where a legislator can replace the substance of a bill originally introduced to do something different.

If you support San Mateo County’s ability to increase support for transit, send a note of thanks and support to Senator Hill for SB 705, attention Nate Solov, Nate.Solov@sen.ca.gov. Feel free to copy friends@friendsofcaltrain.com.