HomeMy WebLinkAboutSLOCOG Legislation Bradley-Burns Local Sales Tax Exemption - Letter of SUPPORTCity of San Luis Obispo, Office of the City Council, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3249, 805.781.7114,
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The Honorable John Laird
Senator, 17th District
1021 O Street, Suite 8720
Sacramento, California 95814
RE: Bradley-Burns Local Sales Tax Exemption- San Luis Obispo Countywide Local Transportation
Sales Tax
Dear Senator Laird:
On behalf the City of San Luis Obispo (City), I write in support of San Luis Obispo Council of
Governments’ (SLOCOG) pursuit of special state legislation to waive the 2% Bradley-Burns sales tax
cap for a regional sales tax measure for transportation, subject to voter approval.
SLOCOG is considering a ½ cent countywide transportation investment measure for the November
2026 ballot. However, with other non-transportation tax measures that may be proposed by San Luis
Obispo County jurisdictions, there may not be sufficient capacity under the countywide 2% local
option sales tax cap. The enactment of this legislation would ensure that SLOCOG, the County of San
Luis Obispo (County), and all seven cities would be able to engage in a public process to develop an
expenditure plan for voters' consideration. This is an opportunity for San Luis Obispo residents to
consider resources to improve its transportation infrastructure, including safety and mobility needs.
Additionally, the City supports language in the legislation that would enable a qualified voter initiative
that would generate at least a ½ cent for countywide transportation purposes to also be exempt from
the 2% Bradley-Burns local sales tax cap. The qualification of such an initiative would occur under an
independent process currently provided by the Constitution. Neither SLOCOG nor any public entity
would be involved in signature-gathering efforts nor messaging for such a campaign, and the County
would serve as the custodian of placing the measure on the ballot.
The proposed legislation will enable SLOCOG, the County, and the cities to maximize public
participation in considering a potential sales tax increase for regional transportation purposes and in
developing an expenditure plan that best meets the specific needs of our jurisdictions.
For these reasons, the City supports a local sales tax exemption that will enable SLOCOG to pursue a
countywide transportation measure and to utilize a process that will foster greater public input.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Erica A. Stewart
Mayor, City of San Luis Obispo
CC: City of San Luis Obispo Councilmembers
Pete Rodgers, Executive Director, SLOCOG
James Worthley, Deputy Director, SLOCOG