Council of governments approve next step of proposed transportation plan
9-year, $225 million plan is based on a proposed half-cent sales tax to fund local, regional transportation
–The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments recently approved the next steps for the San Luis Obispo County Self-Help Local Transportation Investment Plan. The plan is based on a proposed 9-year, countywide half-cent sales tax to fund local and regional transportation priorities. The plan was heavily influenced by a public outreach program that asked residents to identify their priorities for future transportation programs and projects and will now go to every city council in the county and the County Board of Supervisors for approval to be placed on the November 2016 ballot.
“Today marks a major milestone for transportation funding in our region,” said Ron De Carli, SLOCOG executive director. “With the ongoing decline in state and federal transportation funding, SLO County residents are now one step closer to having the ability to decide if they want to use local funds for local priorities.”
According to the Self-Help Counties Coalition, 84-percent of California residents currently live in a Self-Help County. Self-Help Counties deliver voter-approved (by super-majority) transportation sales tax measures that fund roads, transit, highway, freight, bicycle, pedestrian and other mobility programs. Together, these counties pump $4 to $5 billion each year into California’s transportation infrastructure, creating jobs, expanding mobility and enhancing local communities and the environment, they say.
According to a recent report from AAA, the average driver reported spending $300 to repair pothole damage to their vehicle and many reported having to make repairs an average of three times in the last five years. Drivers are also paying an additional $960 a year in wasted time and fuel due to traffic congestion.
As proposed, the plan provides fifty-five percent of funds for local control by the jurisdictions for use on their priority projects, including road repair and maintenance. Twenty-five percent of the funds will be used to reduce growing traffic congestion on major roadways and highways. Twenty percent will fund multi-modal projects and programs that support public transportation and bike and pedestrian improvements. To see the entire plan and to learn more visit www.selfhelpslo.org.
Vote No. This is a plan that will further erode the ability oif taxpayers to have decent roads. over half goes to things other than fixing roads.
Vote No. This is a plan that will further erode the ability oif taxpayers to have decent roads. over half goes to things other than fixing roads.