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LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Smart Voter
Alameda, Contra Costa County, CA November 2, 2004 Election
Measure BB
Parcel Tax
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit Special District Area 1

2/3 Approval Required

276,218 / 72.5% Yes votes ...... 104,828 / 27.5% No votes
   238,429 (72.6%) Yes / 89,971 (27.4%) No in Alameda County
   37,789 (71.8%) Yes / 14,857 (28.2%) No in Contra Costa County

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Dec 15 1:28pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (871/871)
99.9% Voter Turnout (798/504)
  Includes 762/762 Precincts in Alameda County as of Dec 15 1:28pm
  Includes 109/109 Precincts in Contra Costa County as of Dec 15 10:56am
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

To preserve affordable local public transportation services that allow seniors and people with disabilities to remain independent, take students to and from school, help East Bay residents commute to work and reduce traffic and air pollution by reducing the number of cars on the road, shall the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) increase its existing parcel tax by $2 per parcel, per month for ten years with an independent fiscal oversight committee and all money staying local?

Impartial Analysis from County Counsel
If approved by two-thirds of the voters voting thereon, Measure BB will authorize the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District ("the District") to levy a special tax in the amount of $48 per year per parcel of taxable land for ten years. The tax would become effective on July 1, 2005 and would terminate on June 30, 2015. It would be assessed against the owner(s) of each parcel of taxable land only within that portion of the District identified as "Special Transit District 1." Proceeds from this special tax could only be used to fund the operation and maintenance of bus service within Special Transit District 1. Special Transit District 1 generally consists of the cities of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, EI Cerrito, Emeryville, Hayward, Oakland, Piedmont, Richmond, San Leandro and San Pablo) and adjacent unincorporated areas, including Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, El Sobrante, Fairview, Kensington and San Lorenzo.

A special transit district organized under the provisions of the California Public Utilities Code has the authority to levy special taxes following notice and public hearings and then upon approval by two-thirds of the votes cast on the special tax proposal pursuant to Section 4 of Article XIIIA and Article XIIIC of the California Constitution and Sections 50075-77 and 53722 of the California Government Code and Section 25892.1 of the California Public Utilities Code.

If two-thirds of the qualified electors voting on this measure vote "Yes," a special tax of $48 per year will be levied upon each taxable parcel within Special Tax District 1. The tax will be collected by the Alameda County or Contra Costa County tax collectors at the same time and in the same manner as ad valorem property taxes are collected. Owners of undeveloped land, developed but vacant land and tax-exempt land will not be subject to the tax, as provided by Section 2 and Section 9 of the Measure which is contained in this Voter Pamphlet.

If less than two thirds of the qualified electors vote for approval of this measure, it will fail and the District will not be authorized to levy this proposed special tax in District 1 of Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

RICHARD E. WINNIE, County Counsel of Alameda County

  Nonpartisan Information

Pros & Cons of this Measure from the League of Women Voters of the Bay Area
News and Analysis

Oakland Tribune

Suggest a link related to Measure BB
Links to sources outside of Smart Voter are provided for information only and do not imply endorsement.

Arguments For Measure BB Arguments Against Measure BB
" l am no longer able to drive. Without AC Transit bus services I simply couldn't survive. " Cleo Green, East Bay Homeowner for 45 years

AC Transit bus services help many seniors and people with disabilities remain independent. AC Transit buses and paratransit services take them to the doctor, to the market and to visit their families.

Without additional funding, AC Transit can no longer guarantee affordable transportation for seniors, people with disabilities and others who rely on these services.

This past year, AC Transit faced a $50 million budget shortfall and was forced to declare a fiscal emergency. More than 25% of management positions were eliminated, over 150 bus drivers and mechanics were laid off, nearly 17% of bus services were eliminated or significantly reduced and fares were increased.

Measure BB provides a stable source of local funding to maintain affordable public transportation for East Bay residents by increasing and extending an existing tax. Measure BB funds will be used for operations and maintenance to:

o Maintain low cost transit service for seniors, passengers with disabilities and students

o Preserve services that seniors use for trips to the doctor and to go shopping

o Maintain services that children use to get to and from school and after school activities

o Preserve bus routes that help East Bay commuters get to and from work + keeping cars off the road and reducing traffic and air pollution

Measure BB costs just $2 more per month. The cost is deductible on state and federal taxes.

An independent citizens oversight committee will ensure that all funds are spent responsibly and only for purposes approved by voters. All funds stay here in the East Bay to provide safe, reliable and affordable public transportation. Help seniors, students, and people with disabilities remain independent. Please vote Yes on Measure BB.

Linda Craig, President, League of Women Voters of the Bay Area

Jacqueline Garrett, Executive Director, Center for Independent Living

Burrill Hansen, Board Member, United Seniors of Oakland and Alameda County

Sheila Jordan, Alameda County Superintendent of Schools

Andy Katz, Co-Chair, Transportation Committee, Sierra Club SF Bay Chapter

None filed.


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Created: December 15, 2004 13:28 PST
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