The Assembly Local Government Committee advanced SB 762 on June 17, moving a proposal that would let certain local governments ask voters to approve a sales tax to help pay for essential services.
According to the committee’s hearing materials and transcript from the Assembly Local Government Committee, the bill cleared on an initial 6-1 vote and later was recorded as 8-1. The measure would give some cities and counties voter-approval authority for an essential-services sales tax.
Supporters said the bill is needed as local governments absorb budget pressure from rising costs and federal cuts. Hercules Mayor Chris Kelly said the city had cut 40% of its staff, while Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Chair Monica Martinez cited county strain on safety-net services and said Santa Cruz County serves about 83,000 Medi-Cal enrollees, nearly 43% of births through Medi-Cal and more than 20,000 households that rely on food assistance each month.
Other supporters listed in the committee record included the cities of Santa Maria, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, San Pablo, Palo Alto and Los Gatos, along with the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, California Professional Firefighters, Teamsters California and several police associations. The hearing materials also tied some of the budget pressure discussed in testimony to HR1.
The committee’s vote sends SB 762 forward for further legislative consideration.
