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Politics
San Mateo County Supervisors Send Sales Tax Hike to Voters
A half-cent sales tax measure is heading for San Mateo County’s November ballot. Supervisors gave final approval to the measure at their meeting Tuesday.
As a general fund tax, the measure only needs a simple majority to pass. But Supervisor Don Horsley admits it will still be a tough sell, because many people don't know what the county does.
“We’re going to have to make a case to the voters,” he says. “We’re going to have to talk to them about 911, about the gang task force, about keeping emergency rooms open, homework centers, libraries. Those are potentially areas that will benefit from this sales tax.”
San Mateo County voters defeated 2 of 3 special-use taxes in June. Those required a two-thirds vote to pass.
Officials hope this measure will provide an ongoing general fund revenue stream to keep the county solvent and roll back the last few years of cutbacks.
