SAN DIEGO — On Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, Californians voted in the Presidential Primary Election. Included on the ballot was Measure G which is asking San Diego County residents to raise the sales tax a half-cent to fund road and transportation improvements in San Diego County. As of Thursday evening, the no votes were leading.
More than half of the money raised from Measure G will go to public transit. SANDAG oversees the projects and some critics said they don’t trust SANDAG, while supporters said Measure G is a step toward a more sustainable future for the county.
LIVE ELECTION RESULTS FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY MEASURE G NOVEMBER 5, 2024 ELECTION:
Measure G would authorize spending the sales-tax proceeds on a number of transit-related operations. They would be divided by:
- 50% to capital projects related to transit;
- 27% toward capital projects related to road and highway traffic flow and commuter safety
- 12% on transit operations for the Metropolitan Transit System and North County Transit District
- 7% for streets, road maintenance and active transportation
- 2% on rail transit-related repairs, rehabilitation and replacement
- No more than 2% on general administration.
The measure would also create an oversight committee intended to ensure the tax proceeds are spent as outlined in the measure.
Supporters said Measure G would generate $350 million annually for projects that will improve safety by repairing aging, deteriorating infrastructure, and reduce traffic by funding rapid transit projects. Reducing car commutes and encouraging more people to take public transportation will also lead to air quality improvements and other environmental benefits, according to supporters.
But opponents said the tax increase would hurt residents already burdened by the high costs of living in San Diego County, and that two-thirds of the funding would support public transit projects that are less suitable for county residents than highway-related projects.
Opponents also said that SANDAG -- the San Diego Association of Governments, which has weathered controversies over the years regarding its practices and management -- does not have a good track record and has failed to come through on transportation improvement promises in the past.
Measure G proponents said the oversight committee created by the measure would conduct annual audits and can refer individuals for criminal prosecution if funds are misused.
Among those opposing Measure G were County Supervisor Jim Desmond, 75th Assembly District candidate Carl DeMaio, and Haney Hong, president and CEO of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association.
A similar half-cent sales tax increase for county transportation initiatives failed in 2016. That measure garnered 58% approval but required a two-thirds majority, unlike Measure G, which needed only a simple majority because it was a citizens initiative.
CBS 8 sat down with Manny Rodriguez with the City Heights Community Development Corporation which is part of “Yes for Measure G” and with San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond. Desmond used to be on the board for SANDAG and says “No” to Measure G.
WATCH: Measure G | San Diego County half-cent sales tax (full interview)
More about Measure G