Measure M Keeping its Promises to Orange County

The following is a press release from an organization unaffiliated with Voice of OC. The views expressed here are not those of Voice of OC.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713
Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 13, 2016

Measure M Keeping its Promises to Orange County 

Half-cent sales tax is driving force behind local transportation improvements and an independent review finds the program is on track for the 25^th year

ORANGE – The Measure M Taxpayer Oversight Committee has determined that Measure M is being delivered as promised to Orange County voters for the 25th consecutive year.

The committee held its annual Measure M public hearing Tuesday night, and unanimously found that the Orange County Transportation Authority is proceeding in accordance with the ordinances that were first approved by voters in 1990 and renewed by 70 percent of voters in 2006.

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.

“For 25 years, OCTA has worked tirelessly delivering on the promises of Measure M and it is great to hear that the independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee agrees once again,” said OCTA Chair Lori Donchak. “Every O.C. resident has benefitted from Measure M in some way and our commitment to improving transportation through this voter-approved program will continue for years to come.”

The original Measure M half-cent sales tax 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 freeways, widened streets, synchronized signals and improved intersections. Measure M also made possible Metrolink commuter-rail service in Orange County.

Measure M is expected to generate nearly $15 billion to fund transportation improvements through 2041. Freeways will receive 43 percent of the funding, streets and roads receive 32 percent and transit receives 25 percent of M dollars. Measure M’s freeway program includes funding for an environmental program that preserves and restores natural habitat and improves water quality.

For more information about Measure M or the Taxpayer Oversight Committee, visit

www.octa.net/TOC.

Voice of OC posts press releases to provide readers with information directly from organizations. We do not edit or rewrite press releases, and encourage readers to contact the originator of a given release for more information. To submit a press release email pressreleases@voiceofoc.org

Since you've made it this far,

You are obviously connected to your community and value good journalism. As an independent and local nonprofit, our news is accessible to all, regardless of what they can afford. Our newsroom centers on Orange County’s civic and cultural life, not ad-driven clickbait. Our reporters hold powerful interests accountable to protect your quality of life. But it’s not free to produce. It depends on donors like you.

Make a tax-deductible donation

About Voice of OC: Mission | Editorial Policies | Contact Us | Funding | Privacy Policy

Join the conversation: In lieu of comments, we encourage readers to engage with us across a variety of mediums. Join our Facebook discussion. Message us via our website or staff page. Send us a secure tip. Share your thoughts in a community opinion piece.