Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Metro's Sales Tax Proposal Will Appear On The Ballot As 'Measure M'
(Photo by jeffkingla via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
()
You know that tax ballot measure that we've been talking about for months? You know, the one that will help Metro move forward with a bunch of cool projects? Like extending the Purple Line from Koreatown to Westwood?
Today, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Office has officially named the measure as "Measure M" for the November 8, 2016 ballot. It was formerly known as Measure R2, which maybe came off as a bit wonky. And that "2" perhaps implied that it was a lesser, secondary initiative. "Measure M," on the other hand, is authoritative, and impeccably cool. Think: Judi Dench as the unflappable M in the Bond movies. Or: Dial M for Murder.
Anyway, Measure M is what you'll be looking for on the November ballot if you want to give a big boost to public transit. If passed, it will increase the county-wide sales tax by a half-cent, and Metro will use the funds to back a $120-billion plan to increase mobility in the Southland.
"Measure M addresses many of the critical transportation needs caused by our aging infrastructure and expected population growth," Metro Board Chair John Fasana said in a release.
Support for LAist comes from
Projects in the plan include a rail line beneath the Sepulveda Pass, an additional 4.7 miles for the Green Line, another 11 miles to extend the Gold Line to San Dimas, new carpool lanes on a number of freeways, and various improvements to boost "travel times" service reliability and speed” on Metrolink and Amtrak. Metro has a fact-sheet on the wide array of projects that will be jump-started once Measure M is passed.
For a visual of what public transit may look like in the future (if Metro's plan pulls through) check out this map that one intrepid transportation planner had made.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist