Task Force Calls For $3 Billion In Taxes And Fees To Upgrade SF Transportation
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — San Francisco taxpayers could be asked to approve $3 billion in taxes and fees to help pay for fixes for the city's transportation system after a task force assembled by Mayor Ed Lee will bring its recommendations to City Hall on Monday.
In his Sate of the City speech in January, Lee announced a 44-member team tasked to look at what needs fixing and how to go about doing that.
Mayor's Task Force Recommends $3 Billion In Taxes And Fees For Transportation Improvements In San Francisco
After months of research, the task force's study claims the $3 billion would be a good start in replacing and expanding its fleet of buses and streetcars, regularly repairing pot holes, protecting pedestrian and fixing what many commuters complain about, Muni overcrowding and unreliability.
The task force suggests that funds could be raised by upping the vehicle license fee from .65 to 2 percent, the sales tax by half a cent to 9.25 percent and asking for two $500 million general obligation bonds.
"No we're not going to fix our transportation challenges overnight or even in a year. Achieving a world-class public transportation system is a constant journey forward—not a destination," Lee said in his speech in January.
Supervisor John Avalos, however, isn't convinced the recommendations are the answer; he thinks big business isn't paying its fair share and dominated the task force's decision making.
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