Business Council Backs Out of Sales Tax Measure
Selina Rodriguez, People Power High School Intern
In a surprise move, the Santa Cruz Business Council (an organization comprising about 60 large employers in Santa Cruz County) voted at its January 2nd meeting NOT to support a sales tax measure to widen Highway 1. (The draft measure that came out of the Transportation Funding Task Force called for a half-cent sales tax over a period of 35 years, with more than $300,000,000 earmarked for highway widening.) The Business Council spokesman said that they didn't think the tax measure would pass, due to local economics and "mounting resistance." (Kudos to People Power and the Campaign for Sensible Transportation, among others, who stood their ground.)
The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) has estimated that promoting a ballot measure would cost at least $500,000. The Business Council was expected to pay the majority of the cost, as they have been the loudest voice calling for highway widening. With the Council pulling out and the Transportation Commission legally prohibited from running a campaign, the question now is whether or not anyone else will step forward to take the lead. In spite of this setback, the RTC continued, at their January 10th meeting, to discuss how they would apportion funds, with highway widening still being their highest priority.
These events validate the strategy of People Power and the Campaign for Sensible Transportation. Both groups remain committed to opposing further attempts to widen Highway 1, while presenting a sensible transportation vision for Santa Cruz County.