"There's no end to their gall when it comes to reaching for taxpayers' wallets," said Kris Vosburgh, executive director of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. He objected to any increase in the sales tax. "We are already the second highest in the state when it comes to county sales taxes. . . . The problem here is that it is terribly regressive and it hits the poor people much harder than the wealthy."
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MTA seeks sales tax hike
Board votes to put a half-cent increase on the ballot for rails, buses and roads. State approval is required.
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The MTA proposal is similar to measures that have been adopted in the last 25 years by surrounding counties. Those counties include Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino, which sought the tax revenue to offset declines in state transportation funding.
Orange County's Measure M, which also required a two-thirds majority, was placed on the ballot several times in the late 1980s and early '90s before voters approved it. The tax was renewed by voters last year and is expected to generate $12 billion from 2011 through 2041.
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dan.weikel@latimes.com
steve.hymon@latimes.com
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Tax comparisons
The half-cent sales tax increase would boost Los Angeles County's total to 8.75%, tying Alameda County for the highest sales tax rate in California.
Existing county rates
Los Angeles: 8.25%
Orange: 7.75%
Riverside: 7.75%
San Bernardino: 7.75%
Ventura: 7.25%
Source: California State Board of Equalization
