Los Angeles County voters will decide whether they want to increase the sales tax for five years, so it can raise $1 billion to support public health care and other essential services.
Supporters argue additional funding is necessary to support public health clinics and other services as many LA County residents are expected to lose their health care coverage.
But opponents fear the additional sales tax would further burden people when costs of living have been on the rise.
How does Measure ER work?
The Essential Services Restoration Act or Measure ER proposes to add a temporary half cent per dollar or about 5 cents for every $10 spent in LA County for five years. The annual revenue is expected to be about $1 billion between October 2026 and 2031.
But the increase would not apply to groceries, prescription drugs and medical equipment.
The ballot measure would expire in October 2031, and it cannot be extended without voter approval.
Why supporters want Measure ER
The revenue from Measure ER would support some 700,000 LA County residents who are losing health insurance as the federal funding for Medi-Cal will be reduced.
Proponents say Measure ER will provide health care support for those who are losing Medi-Cal so they don’t show up to the local emergency rooms sicker with more serious illnesses.
The federal funding cut will also impact public hospitals and clinics, but if Measure ER passed, it would make up for the lost funds and save some of the public health care facilities and programs.
Earlier this year, the LA County Department of Public Health said it had to close seven of its clinics due to a loss of over $50 million federal, state and local funding.
A poll sponsored by the California Democratic Party showed the number of undecided voters at 14%. Karma Dickerson reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026.
Who supports Measure ER
The Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County is one of the supporters as it called Measure ER an “urgent and necessary step to stop the damage and to protect access to life-saving care.”
Community health organizations, such as Venice Family Clinic and MLK Community Healthcare, have expressed their support.
LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell is also one of the officials backing the proposal.
Why critics say about Measure ER
The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which has consistently opposed any form of tax increase, argued that sales tax in LA County is already too high. The group said raising the tax again is “unreasonable and unfairly harsh” for those who can’t afford it.
LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger also has expressed her strong opposition to Measure ER, saying that LA County residents are already “stretched thin,” and that the county has the highest sales tax compared to any other major metropolitical region in the nation.
“This proposed half-cent increase would push us even higher, making our county less affordable for families and less appealing for consumers to shop and businesses to operate.,” Barger said in opposition.