Bay Area voters could soon have the opportunity to vote on a proposal to raise sales taxes by half a cent, potentially generating over $500 million annually for transit agencies like BART and Caltrain. The state Senate has passed SB 63, co-sponsored by local Democrats Sen. Scott Wiener and Sen. Jesse Arreguin. However, the plan is contested by labor unions and environmental advocacy groups that argue businesses should contribute instead. The measure reflects significant funding challenges faced by transit services, exacerbated by plummeting ridership post-pandemic, with BART alone facing a $378 million funding deficit by 2027.
This vote provides a much-needed ray of hope for public transportation in the Bay Area, Wiener said in a statement after the Senate's approval.
The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Sen. Jesse Arreguin of Oakland, passing the Senate 28-10 amidst mixed support.
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