SAN DIEGO–Citizens for a Better San Diego today said that The San Diego County Taxpayer’s Association has unanimously endorsed the San Diego County Road Repair, Transit, Traffic Relief, Safety and Water Quality Measure. Citizens for a Better San Diego is the advocacy arm for the measure that the San Diego Association of Government’s (SANDAG) board voted recently to place on the November ballot to fund regional transportation investments, provide local control to municipalities for road and pothole fixes as well as to relieve escalating traffic congestion.
Haney Hong, President and CEO of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association said, “The Taxpayers Association supports SANDAG’s plan to improve public transportation and mobility for the following reasons: the agency operates effectively and efficiently, it has an excellent track record of leveraging state and federal funds for local projects, it delivers on its promises to voters, and this plan will reduce traffic and commute times, which will improve our quality of life.”
The road repair measure will generate an estimated $18 billion in guaranteed funding in San Diego to be spent on urgent repairs to our transportation infrastructure and will stay in our region. Communities will receive their share of $4.3 billion in new funds to upgrade our aging road and freeway network, expand public transportation services and decrease wasted time in unnecessary traffic.
County Supervisor Ron Roberts said, “The SDCTA Board of Directors voted unanimously to support this measure because it strikes the right balance. The measure guarantees that the infrastructure projects most critical to our regional economy will be completed, while providing the oversight and accountability needed to ensure taxpayer funds are spent wisely.”
An estimated $7.5 billion in new funds will be used to revitalize transit infrastructure in our region, including the construction and operation of a new Trolley line from San Ysidro to Kearny Mesa – a key connector and employment enabler that will help provide faster and more frequent transit service around the county. Taxpayers are ensured transparency and oversight through accountability requirements of an Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee, an important step for the continued protection of future generations of San Diegans.