By Allen Payton
A special meeting of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) will be held, tonight, Wednesday, January 6, 2016, to discuss a proposed transportation tax, in addition to Measure J, the current half-cent sales tax for transportation in the county. That tax, approved by voters in 2004, is projected to collect approximately $2.5 billion over its life and will expire at the end of 2034.
The CCTA is expected to seek voter approval for a new half-cent transportation sales tax, that if approved, could raise more than $2 billion dollars over 30 years. The board will discuss development of a Transportation Expenditure Plan (TEP) for a proposed ballot measure, and ways to seek and obtain input from the public and various organizations.
According to the authority’s December 16, 2015 agenda, “Recognizing the benefits realized through Measure C and Measure J, and the continuing needs for transportation improvements throughout Contra Costa County, the Authority at its meeting in March 2015 directed staff to develop a plan for development of a possible TEP to be considered for placement on the ballot in November 2016 or a later general election.”
Following are the three agenda items for tonight’s meeting dealing with the proposed tax:
1.1 Development of a Potential Transportation Expenditure Plan (TEP) – Approve Revised TEP Process Timeline.
1.2 Development of a Potential Transportation Expenditure Plan (TEP) – Introduction to Special Meetings of the Authority Board.
1.3 Presentation and Discussion of “A Community Vision for a New Transportation Tax” Prepared by a Growing Coalition of Environmental, Labor, Transportation, Housing, Social Justice, Faith, Civic and other Public Interest Groups.
That presentation includes a list of proposals for the new transportation tax measure, such as Incentivizing Sustainable, Equitable Development; Local and Regional Transit; Growth Management, which includes prohibiting “sprawl-inducing projects: These include, among others, the James Donlon Extension, Camino Tassajara Expansion, and Highway 239,” the proposed route between Brentwood and I-5 in Tracy; Global Warming Solutions, stating “Contra Costa should take leadership to exceed the State of California’s mandated reductions for vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs);” Good Local Jobs; Complete Streets, meaning “options for all modes of transportation;” Regional Trail Network; and Accountability and Public Benefits.
The public will have the opportunity to speak on each agenda item.
The meeting is scheduled to be audio cast live on the CCTA website on January 6, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. To listen to the audio cast or download the meeting materials, please visit the Public Meetings page of our website. (Please note that the meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. or immediately following the Planning Committee Meeting, whichever is later.) To view a copy of the meeting agenda, click here.
CCTA meetings are held at 2999 Oak Road, Suite 100 in Walnut Creek. The Board Members from East County are Supervisor Federal Glover, Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor and Oakley Mayor Kevin Romick.
