Long Beach Marks One-Year Anniversary Of Measure A

From the City of Long Beach: The City of Long Beach marks the one-year anniversary of voters passing Measure A, the first new Long Beach Transactions and Use Tax in a generation that jumpstarts a 10-year taxpayer investment in improving the City of Long Beach, offsetting previous years’ budget reductions and the City’s $2.8 billion infrastructure need.

“It’s been one year since voters passed Measure A by more than 60%, and just six months since the new Tax went into effect. We have wasted no time in getting to work,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “More than 3.1 million square feet of streets have been slurry sealed to date with residential street repairs expected to be complete by the end of summer. Fire Station 8 and Rescue 12 have been restored. The Police Academy is operating with fully restored personnel, and the Police Department’s South Division restored staffing in February.”

Long Beach residents were asked during the 2016 election cycle to make a historic investment in the City by voting in favor of Measure A, an effort initiated by Mayor Robert Garcia with support from former Mayors, Beverly O’Neill and Bob Foster.

“Measure A has allowed us to make real headway in our ‘complete streets’ approach,” said Craig Beck, Public Works Director. “When a crew goes out to slurry seal they are also identifying ADA curb cuts that need to be made, and identifying sidewalk repairs. The crews can take care of all of those needs at once which saves on costs and reduces inconvenience to the public.”

So far, more than 190,000 square feet of sidewalks have been repaired, and 380 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) curb cuts have been installed. Arterial work on Broadway is expected to start this fall.

The establishment of a Transactions and Use Tax Citizens’ Advisory Committee (Committee) was a key component of voters supporting Measure A. The Committee is comprised of five highly respected individuals;

• Steven Neal, former Long Beach Councilmember
• Jane Netherton, former CEO and Board President of International City Bank
• Judy Ross, retired Executive Director of the Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership
• Mary Stephens, Vice President for Administration and Finance at California State University, Long Beach
• Miles Nevin, Director of the President’s Office at Long Beach City College

The Committee has convened four times since Measure A passed on June 7, 2016. The next meeting is scheduled for August 9, 2017 at 4:00 pm in City Council Chambers.

Photo courtesy of the City of Long Beach