A group of Sacramentans is working to get a half-cent local sales tax increase on the ballot in November, to fund road safety improvements.<\/p>\n
SACRAMENTO, Calif. \u2014 A group of Sacramento residents is pushing a local ballot initiative that would raise the city\u2019s sales tax by half a percent to fund road safety improvements and public transit.<\/p>\n
Supporters say the effort is needed as Sacramento ranks worst among California\u2019s 15 largest cities for speed-related crashes, according to the latest data<\/a> from the California Office of Traffic Safety.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s unacceptable to be the worst city in California, which is typically worse than other parts of the country because we have so many people,\u201d said Steve Cohn, co-chair of the Safer Sac Streets<\/a> campaign and former Sacramento City Councilmember.<\/p>\n The group submitted the proposed City of Sacramento Safe Streets and Affordable Transit Measure of 2026<\/a> to the city clerk<\/a>, who has approved it for signature gathering.<\/p>\n \u201cThis measure would help fund safety improvements,\u201d Cohn said.<\/p>\n Sacramento\u2019s current sales tax rate is 8.75%, which is below the statewide average across all California cities of 8.96%, as of the start of this year<\/a>. The city last raised its sales tax seven years ago after voters approved an update to Measure U<\/a>, which increased it by a half-cent.<\/p>\n If the new measure qualifies for the ballot and voters approve it, the city\u2019s sales tax would rise to 9.25%. About 40% of cities in California already have sales tax rates at or above that level, according to data from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration<\/a>, with two cities in Los Angeles County reaching as high as 11.25%. The state-required minimum sales tax in California is 7.25%. Cities in our area that are already at 9.25% include Galt, Davis, and West Sacramento. Manteca and Stockton are at 9%.<\/p>\n Cohn said the measure could generate about $70 million to $75 million annually for the city.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019d probably go up if the economy gets better, but that\u2019s a lot of money just for the city of Sacramento,\u201d Cohn said.<\/p>\n Forty-eight percent of the funds would go toward safer streets, including pothole repairs and improvements to sidewalks and bike lanes, according to the campaign and the measure\u2019s language.<\/p>\n Another 48% would support safer and faster transit, including more frequent and reliable bus and light rail service within city limits. The remaining funds would go toward independent oversight and transit-oriented housing infrastructure. The measure states that the money cannot be used for other purposes.<\/p>\n But tax opponents say raising the sales tax would disproportionately affect lower-income residents.<\/p>\n \u201cAny discussion of additional taxes in California is going to run into some strong headwinds,\u201d said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n Coupal called sales taxes highly regressive.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t fall that hard on the ultra-wealthy because they don\u2019t spend a lot of their revenue on disposable consumer goods. But if you get into the working poor and middle class, obviously, a sales tax increase hits them disproportionately harder,\u201d Coupal said, urging voters to reject the measure if it lands on the ballot.<\/p>\n Cohn said the funding is especially important as the city faces a major budget shortfall and needs additional money for transportation safety projects.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s enough when you combine with state, federal, private investment can really make a difference over time,\u201d Cohn said.<\/p>\n Supporters have until mid-June to gather about 30,000 signatures to qualify the measure for the November ballot.<\/p>\n The campaign plans to hold an official kickoff meeting<\/a> at 1 p.m. Sunday at New Helvetia Brewing in Sacramento. Supporters will begin collecting signatures after that. If the measure reaches the ballot, it would require a simple majority to pass. If approved, the tax would take effect in April 2027.<\/p>\n ABC10 reached out to the City of Sacramento. In 2017, the City Council made a Vision Zero\u00a0<\/a>pledge, vowing to eliminate all traffic deaths and injuries by 2027. However, the city confirmed it has not significantly changed its approach to funding the Department of Public Works. A department spokesperson told ABC10 it executes road safety projects and relies on competitive grants to fund major changes to road infrastructure.<\/p>\n “Public Works has for decades maintained a dedicated Traffic Investigations team whose work has consistently focused on delivering safety improvements throughout the city,” spokesperson Gabby Miller told ABC10 in an email. “Building on that foundation, in 2025, the department was approved to establish the Transportation Safety Initiative<\/a>, which allows us to deliver and evaluate targeted improvements within the public right of way. Together, these teams strengthen our ability to respond to community needs, address safety concerns, and deliver timely, data-driven solutions that make our streets safer and more accessible for everyone.”<\/p>\n The city delivered more than 100 improvements last year, Miller said. More information is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n For California cities that passed local tax increases last year, here is a list<\/a> of local sales tax rates effective April 1 of this year.<\/p>\n