Encouraging Ruling in Regional Measure 3 Court Case

Funding from an almost $5.6 billion regional transportation ballot measure that the Bay Area Council helped pass in 2017 soon could start flowing under a recent court ruling. The Council partnered with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and SPUR to pass Regional Measure 3, which includes investments in 30 key transportation projects around the Bay Area. Anti-tax group Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association challenged the outcome of the vote, arguing it required two-thirds voter approval rather than the majority (54%) approval RM3 earned. A San Francisco Superior Court flatly disagreed. It’s still possible the decision could be appealed, but the group that filed the lawsuit indicated in comments in the media that it may drop the case.

Funding from RM3 comes from toll increases on seven Bay Area bridges that would be phased in over coming years. Investments would help ease choke points on key highway interchanges, expanding express lanes, extending and upgrading BART, and expanding regional ferry service, among other improvements. To engage in the Council’s transportation policy work, please contact Senior Vice President Gwen Litvak.