Measure A, Santa Clara County

Should Santa Clara County increase the sales tax to fund county services?

Measure A would raise the county sales tax by 0.625% for five years. County officials estimate the tax will raise $330 million annually, to partially offset projected annual losses from recent federal cuts that will reach over $1 billion by 2029–30. Because it is a general tax, the funds can be used for any county purpose. 

Yes Argument

Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP food assistance programs in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, approved by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans, dealt a devastating blow to Santa Clara County. Medicaid is the single largest revenue source for Santa Clara Valley Healthcare, and one in four county residents relies on the program. Measure A is a lifeline that will keep county hospitals open in the face of these draconian cuts. 

No Argument

Measure A is a general tax, so there is no guarantee that new revenue will fund health care and hospitals. A sales tax is also a regressive form of taxation, hitting low-income residents hardest. Before asking for a tax increase, the county should first reevaluate whether it is sustainable to operate four public hospitals in a time of shrinking federal funding. 

Fundraising
Campaign finance data comes from the California Secretary of State’s office or the Federal Election Commission.

Updated at 2:00 PM on Oct 31, 2025
Source: Santa Clara County
In Support
$2.6mTotal
Valley Health Foundation
$525.0k
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
$350.0k
SEIU 521
$300.0k
Valley Physicians Group
$260.0k
John A. Sobrato
$250.0k
In Opposition
$357Total
Seema Kumar
$357

Key Supporters

This list represents notable organizations and individuals who have taken a position on the ballot measure or candidate, or who are funding campaigns in support or opposition. This list is not exhaustive, and may be updated.

In Support

  • Patrick Ahrens, state Assemblymember 
  • Ro Khanna, U.S. representative
  • Matt Mahan, mayor, city of San José
  • Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors 
  • South Bay Labor Council

In Opposition

  • Liang-Fang Chao, mayor, city of Cupertino
  • Lydia Kou, former mayor, city of Palo Alto
  • Rishi Kumar, former councilmember, city of Saratoga
  • Liz Lawler, former mayor, city of Monte Sereno
  • Rowena Turner, former mayor, city of Monte Sereno

Related Coverage

What Prop. 50's Passage Means for the Bay Area, Santa Clara County's Measure A, and Nancy Pelosi's Retirement

Today, we break down how Prop. 50 will change U.S. House districts in the Bay, Santa Clara County’s Measure A, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s retirement announcement after nearly 40 years representing San Francisco. 

Santa Clara County Sales Tax Measure Appears Poised to Pass Amid Federal Cuts

Santa Clara County voters appear to approve Measure A, a sales tax increase aimed at raising $330 million annually to offset deep federal cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs that threaten local health services.