County Panel Decries Gas Tax Initiative

A statewide ballot measure that would boost local funding for buses, trains and roads by more than $9 million a year is facing opposition from Ventura County leaders, who say the measure is confusing and restrictive.

Proposition 185 would increase the sales tax on gas by 4%, raising about $700 million a year for transportation projects throughout the state.

But the Ventura County Transportation Commission is opposing the measure, saying it would force cities to spend money on public transit that is now used for streets and roads.

“Anything that’s going to bring in more money for transportation sounds good,” said Simi Valley Councilman Bill Davis, who also serves on the transportation commission.

“But when you look at the small print, you see that this could take control away from the cities and the county and most likely create more bureaucracy in the process.”

James Knox, campaign director for Yes on 185, said concerns over losing local control of funds are unfounded and that 75% of the money raised through the measure would be disbursed by transportation commissions like the one in Ventura County.

As for concerns that cities would be forced to pay for buses and trains with money now used to fix potholes and install traffic signals, Knox said revenue generated by the new tax would more than make up for the loss.

“It is penny-wise and pound-foolish to make that argument,” Knox said. “There would be plenty of new funds to make up the difference.”

The county’s transportation planners remain unconvinced.

“It is too rigid and too far-reaching,” said Carlos Hernandez, who analyzes legislation for the commission. “We do need more revenue, but we don’t want to create more problems trying to get it.”