Election Results for Local Ballot Initiatives
San Francisco's BART.
Here’s how various local ballot proposals played out in different parts of the nation.
LOCAL BALLOT INITIATIVES
Transportation and Infrastructure
Measure M, Los Angeles County: $120 Billion in Transportation
The county approved a $120 million transit and highway proposal by nearly 70 percent, necessitating a hike in the local sales tax. Projects that will immediately benefit include a rail line to LAX, subway under the Sepulveda Pass and subway to Westwood.
Measure RR, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District: $3.5 Billion in Bonds for BART
The special district operating BART can issue and sell up to $3.5 billion in bonds to cover tracks, tunnels and other parts of the 44-year-old rail system, after Measure RR passed with 81.1 percent of the vote. Property tax hikes will pay for the costs.
Housing and Development
Measure 26-179, Portland, Oregon: Affordable Housing Bond
Portland voters passed a measure for the issuance of bonds funding affordable housing in underserved communities with a 62 percent “Yes” vote. A total of $258,400,000 in general obligation bonds will be made available.
Measure HHH, City of Los Angeles: Homeless Housing Bond
L.A. also voted at 76 percent to hike property taxes in order to fund a bond for $1.2 billion intended for construction of 10,000 units in affordable and supportive housing for the homeless. Currently, the homeless population is about 28,000 people.
Proposals A & B, City of Detroit: ‘Community Benefits’ Ordinances
Presented with two “community benefits” ordinances, Detroit voters opted for one that requires developers seeking tax incentives on projects costing $75 million or more to meet with community representatives and city officials to discuss amenities or mitigations. Only one development out of 55 approved by Mayor Mike Duggan’s office exceeded $75 million to date.
Also worth noting …
Miami voters authorized lawsuits against the city should it violate its own charter.
Boulder, Colorado; Albany; San Francisco; and Oakland all approved soda taxes.
The vote on a Denver ordinance allowing public consumption of marijuana in designated areas might not be called until next week.
San Diego residents approved an amendment easing removal of wayward officials.
Dave Nyczepir is a News Editor at Government Executive's Route Fifty and is based in Washington D.C.
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