Sales tax bill approved by state Senate

BREAKING NEWS: The California State Senate voted 24 to 13 a few minutes ago to approve  AB 2321, needed to put a half-cent sales tax increase proposal on the November ballot in Los Angeles County. If approved, proponents say the tax would raise $30 billion  to $40 billion in revenue for mass transit and road projects over the next three decades.

(Update, 7:43 p.m.: another yea vote came later, bringing the vote total to 25 to 13).

The Assembly must re-approve the bill by Sunday, then it must be signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger within 30 days. Officials with the MTA  are saying the Assembly will vote this afternoon.

Schwarzenegger has threatened to veto all bills that come to his desk until the Legislature can agree on a state budget. The Senate today voted against a budget plan that included a temporary sales tax hike.

If the Legislature and Schwarzenegger ultimately decide to fix the $15-billion deficit by imposing a sales tax, it remains unclear if local officials in Los Angeles County will still pursue the half-cent transportation tax increase. Los Angeles County's sales tax rate of 8.25% is already one of the highest in the state.

The sales tax increase proposal is known as Measure R. It has already been submitted to the county registrar to be on the Nov. 4 ballot, but the state bill must be signed by Schwarzenegger for there to be an election.

--Steve Hymon

Comments

[Josh]

Thank you!!
Now maybe L.A. can be transformed from a giant suburb into a real city, where you don't have to drive everywhere. You would get there faster too, as well as do something positive for reducing pollution.

It would be nice too, to not be stuck in 10 MPH traffic on every highway, due to congestion. I could get more work done on a subway, or even read the paper, instead of watching the brake lights of the car in front of me.

[Joshua Reyes]

YEEEEEEESSS!!!!!

[Dan W.]

This is great news! Woo hoo.