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League of Women Voters^®
Bay Area Inter-League Organization

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Ballot Pros and Cons

AC Transit Parcel Tax Measure, Measure VV
BACKGROUND In November 2004 voters approved Measure BB to extend the existing $2 a month parcel tax in support of AC Transit to 2015 and increase it to $4 per month for that period. Annual cost since July 1, 2005 has thus been $48 a year for each property owner.
In the fiscal year which began July 1, 2008, AC Transit faces a $20 million budget shortfall. The price of fuel has increased by more than 55% in the past four years. Ridership is likely to grow as the cost of gas makes driving personal cars less and less attractive. The district is considering a fare increase to meet the budget shortfall.
PROPOSAL Increase the existing parcel tax by $4 per month for ten years (to June 30, 2019) with an independent oversight committee and all money staying local. Annual cost to each property owner would become $96 a year.
FISCAL EFFECT The parcel tax which is the same dollar amount for every property owner must be approved by 2/3 of the voters.
IMPACT OF A YES OR NO VOTE
A Yes vote means that each property owner will pay $96 a year in support of AC Transit busses through June 30, 2019.
A No vote means that each property owner will continue to pay $48 a year in support of AC Transit busses through June 30, 2015.
SUPPORTERS SAY

AC Transit bus service benefits us all by providing transportation for those who cannot drive and those who cannot afford rising cost of gas.
Measure VV will cost just $4 a month, less than the cost of one gallon of gas.

OPPONENTS SAY

It is unfair to tax each property owner, large and small, the same dollar amount.
Fare increases are a better way to meet the rising costs of a bus system.

East Bay Regional Park Bond Measure, Measure WW
BACKGROUND In 1988 voters Measure AA to finance $225 million of bonds over twenty years to support the East Bay Regional Parks. In the twenty years the District has

Added 34,000 acres of open space
Use Measure AA funds to acquire state and federal matching funds which have doubled the money available
Spent $44 million in capital funds for park improvements
Spent $56 million for 235 accessible local parks and recreation facilities, including $4 million for the Oakland Zoo.
Refinanced the existing Measure AA bonds at a lower interest rate saving over $8.5 million in present value savings.

PROPOSAL Extends current Measure AA tax of $10 per $100,000 assessed valuation for twenty years. Funds will support land acquisition, new park and trail development, habitat and urban creek restoration and rehabilitation of aging park facilities.
FISCAL EFFECT Because this is an extension of Measure AA, it would not cause a tax rate increase but rather continue the current $10 per $100,000 assessed valuation.
IMPACT OF A YES OR NO VOTE A Yes vote means that the existing tax of $10 per $100,000 assessed valuation in support of East Bay Regional Park development will continue.
A No vote means that the existing tax of $10 per $100,000 assessed valuation in support of East Bay Regional Park development will cease.
SUPPORTERS SAY
Measure WW will

Help preserve our vanishing open space, available parklands, and shoreline for the growing number of residents of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
Promote environmental sustainability. The vegetation in our parks absorbs the same amount of carbon dioxide that is produced by 1.5 million cars.

OPPONENTS SAY

Ending a tax is a good idea.
Fees for users would be a better way to fund the parks.

Voter Information

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Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: February 16, 2009 14:45 PST.