Disambiguation note: If you’re looking for information on the November 2020 Measure J “Reimagine L.A. County” initiative, please see the initiative webpage. The information below is about Metro’s 2012 Measure J sales tax initiative.
As part of our ongoing mission to inform the general public, L.A. Streetsblog offers “The Measure J” page. We endeavor to make this page a one stop shop for all the information about the ballot measure. Hopefully, writers, editors, opinion makers and the general public can use this information, and the links we provide, to best make their own decision on how to vote in December.
What is Measure J:
Measure J will extend for 30 additional years the existing one-half cent sales tax that was approved in 2008 and is currently set to expire in 2039. The additional funds will be used to sell bonds, which will allow Metro to accelerate construction of transportation improvements. The average L.A. County family pays $25 a year because of the existing tax. Because it does not increase the cast, just extend it, the cost per family will rise as the cost of living increases. Source: Metro’s Measure J Page
Voters passed Measure R sales tax with 67.1% approving in 2008. Measure R needed, and Measure J needs, two-thirds of voters to approve for it to pass. Source: Streetsblog
Informative/Undecided Articles and Links Concerning Measure J?
Editorial: Can L.A. Afford an Indefinite Tax for Transit – Los Angeles Times
Goodbye “Measure R+,” Hello for “Measure J” – Daily News
Los Angeles Votes Asks Its Voters to Extend Transit Tax Far Into the Future – Transport Politic
L.A. County Hoping to Speed Up Transportation Infrastructure Projects – Better Institutions
Westside Urban Forum, Forum on Measure J – WUF Wesbite
Measure J Would Extend Sales Tax to 2069, Accelerate Transportation Projects – Daily News
Who Supports Measure J:
Move L.A.
The Transit Coalition
Southern California Transit Advocates
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition
Cities of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Pasadena
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Newspaper Endorsements of Measure J:
Los Angeles Daily News – Syndicated in SGV Tribune/Long Beach Press-Telegram/Daily Breeze/Daily Bulletin/Pasadena Star-News
Positive Articles on Measure J:
Measure J Campaign Brings in $2 Million – Times
5 Reasons to Vote Yes on Measure J – City Watch
Measure “J” as in Jumpstart – City Watch
Who Opposes Measure J:
Los Angeles County Supervisor, and Metro Board Chair, Mike Antonovich (Source: Streetsblog)
The Bus Riders Union
Crenshaw Subway Coalition
Beverly Hills Unified School District
East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice
Union de Vecinos
Republican Senate Leader Bob Huff (Monrovia) (Source: Patch)
Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks (Source: City Watch)
A full list of politicians and organizations opposed to Measure J can be found here.
Editorials Opposing Measure J :
Articles Negative On Measure J:
Say What? You Want Another $50 Billion? – City Watch
Beverly Hills School District Opposes Measure J – Patch
Measure J Transit Tax, Too Soon? – L.A. Weekly
Beverly Hills School District Opposes Measure J – Times