Proposed Bill Would Make It Easier for Local Governments to Get Transportation Funding

BAY AREA, CA -- A state senator from the Bay Area said Feb. 13 that he's proposing legislation that would make it easier for local governments to pass transportation funding measures.

The legislation, Senate Constitutional Amendment 6, would lower the voter approval threshold for transportation measures to 55 percent from its current level of two-thirds, or 66.6 percent.

The change would put transportation measures on the same footing as school bond measures, which also require only a 55 percent majority for approval.

The proposed legislation, submitted by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), would require an amendment to the state Constitution, and must be approved by two-thirds of the Legislature before it could be placed on the ballot for the next scheduled statewide election in June 2018.

"We've neglected our transportation systems for decades, and we're now paying the price with deteriorated roads, bridges, and public transportation systems," Wiener said in a statement.

"To meaningfully address our transportation needs -- which will reduce congestion, grow our economy, fight climate change, and help low-income workers -- we need to change how we approve these funding measures," he said.

Bay City News contributed to this report/Image via Shutterstock