Half-cent sales tax is driving force behind local transportation improvements
Jan. 24, 2012
ORANGE – The Measure M Taxpayers Oversight Committee (TOC) is conducting its 21st annual public hearing on Measure M, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements approved by voters in 1990 and renewed in 2006. Measure M is administered by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA).
The hearing is set for 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 30 at OCTA headquarters, 600 S. Main St. in Orange.
The independent, 11-member oversight committee was formed to monitor OCTA’s use of Measure M funding, approve all changes to the Measure M plan and hold annual public hearings on the expenditure of funds generated by Measure M.
During the past 20 years, Measure M made possible more than $4 billion worth of transportation improvements. Since 1990, hundreds of local projects have been completed that help residents travel throughout the county every day. This includes improvements to nearly every freeway, widened streets, synchronized signals and improved intersections. Measure M also made possible Metrolink commuter-rail service in Orange County.
Orange County voters overwhelmingly renewed Measure M in November 2006 with 70 percent of the vote.
For more information about Measure M or the Taxpayers Oversight Committee, visit
www.octa.net/toc_mpublichearing.
To take a survey providing feedback on Measure M, visit: www.octa.net/publichearingsurvey.