Metro approves half-cent transportation tax ballot measure for LA County

LOS ANGELES >> A ballot measure that would raise the sales tax in Los Angeles County by a half cent and funds $120 billion in transportation improvements for the next 50 years moved a step closer to being considered by the voters on Thursday.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board — by an 11-2 vote — approved the measure that includes a schedule that prioritizes projects above others over 50 years will be forwarded to the county Board of Supervisors, who have until Aug. 22 to place the measure on the Nov. 8 ballot.

“It is the most comprehensive transportation initiative in this country today,” said Metro CEO Phil Washington. “We believe the benefits allow us to take charge of our transportation future.”

If it reaches the ballot, it will need two-thirds of the vote and must compete with another county measure that raises taxes for improving parks.

Metro’s early polling found the measure, nicknamed R-2 because it follows the existing Measure R half-cent sales tax approved in 2008, is supported by 72 percent of those surveyed.

The new tax would fund numerous projects, including these schedule in the next 10 years: a possible light-rail through the Sepulveda Pass coecting the Westside with the San Feando Valley; extension of the Gold Line from Glendora to Claremont, finishing the Purple Line extension to Westwood and building the Green Line Extension to Crenshaw Boulevard in Torrance.