HomeMy WebLinkAboutSB 333 (Laird) - Bradley Burns 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, slocity.org
March 10, 2025
The Honorable Maria Elena Durazo
Chair, Senate Local Government Committee
State Capitol, Room 407
Sacramento, California 95814
RE: SB 333 (Laird) -Bradley-Burns Local Sales Tax Exemption- San Luis Obispo Countywide Local
Transportation Sales Tax – SUPPORT
Dear Chair Durazo:
On behalf the City of San Luis Obispo (City), I write in support of SB 333 (Laird), which would provide
an exemption from the current Bradley-Burns two percent local sales tax cap for the San Luis Obispo
Council of Governments (SLOCOG) to pursue 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.
We ask for your support on SB 333 (Laird) for these reasons. The local sales tax exemption 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: Members of the Senate Local Government Committee
The Honorable John Laird, Senator, 17th District
The Honorable Monique Limón, Senator, 21st District
The Honorable Dawn Addis, Assemblymember, 30th District
Jonathan Peterson, Principal Consultant, Senate Local Government Committee
City of San Luis Obispo Councilmembers