National and state elections are getting a lot of attention this year, but a host of East Bay measures on the local level will also be on your ballot in November.
Many of these will enable smoother streets and bike/walk safety upgrades. Read on for more information about some of them, and Bike East Bay’s endorsements.
Berkeley: Measure FF
Our endorsement: Vote ✅ YES on Measure FF and 🚫 NO on Measure EE
Measure FF is a proposed Berkeley parcel tax of 17¢ per lot square foot residential, 25¢ commercial, that will fund paving activities across the city, and require bike/walk plan implementation, to ensure that smoother streets don’t just lead to more speeding.
A competing ballot Measure EE will bring in less funding, and will not require bike/walk plan safety upgrades on Berkeley’s busiest, most dangerous streets.
Whichever measure gets the most votes will win, so we encourage folks to vote YES on FF and NO on EE.
This measure is also endorsed by our partners at Walk Bike Berkeley, the Sierra Club, the League of Women Voters, as well as the Berkeley Mayor and six of Berkeley’s City Council Members.
Albany: Measure C
Our endorsement: Vote ✅ YES on Measure C
Measure C is a renewal of Albany’s existing sidewalk repair fund. It is also endorsed by our partners with the Albany Strollers & Rollers.
If approved, it will continue a parcel tax of 17¢ per lot square foot, changed from lot size brackets in the existing tax. This change plus a 50% tax reduction for low income households were included with the measure to increase equity.
Hayward: Measure K1
Our endorsement: Vote ✅ YES on Measure K1
Measure K1 is a renewal of Hayward’s existing ½ cent sales tax, extending it for another 20 years.
This money goes to Hayward’s general fund, helping to support public works staff, and street paving work including bikeway upgrades. This past year Hayward incorporated a new separated bikeway project into a paving project on a half-mile of Tennyson Rd between Hesperian and Industrial Blvd.
Lafayette: Measure H
Our endorsement: Vote ✅ YES on Measure H
Measure H proposes a ½ cent sales tax in Lafayette, estimated to raise $2.4M/year which would go to the city’s general fund.
The city lists “maintain public streets, pothole repairs…” as possible expenditures, in addition to “traffic safety improvements on our streets and roads for all users including people driving, biking and walking”.
Newark: Measure LL
Our endorsement: Vote ✅ YES on Measure LL
Measure LL proposes an increase in Newark’s existing “transient occupancy tax” (aka a hotel tax) from 10% to 14% (this is the same as current Oakland & San Leandro hotel tax rates).
It is estimated to raise $2.1M/year to go to Newark’s general fund. “Street and pothole repairs” listed as possible expenditures, to be reviewed by an independent tax oversight committee.
In 2023 Newark implemented its first separated bikeways as part of routine paving projects on Cherry St and Thornton Ave. With their new bike/walk plan in development now, we look forward to seeing more facilities like these installed with paving.
Pinole: Measure I
Our endorsement: Vote ✅ YES on Measure I
Measure I (letter “eye” not the number “1”) proposes a half cent sales tax increase in Pinole.
It is estimated to raise $2.5M/year to add to the general fund, with “repairing potholes/streets” listed as possible expenditure. Pinole’s first ever bike plan is in development now, and this added funding could assist with implementation.
Pleasanton: Measure PP
Our endorsement: Vote ✅ YES on Measure PP
Measure PP proposes a half cent sales tax increase in Pleasanton for a period of 10 years.
This revenue would go to general fund, with “Pothole repair and street maintenance” and “Pedestrian safety” as two of the possible expenditure types described.
San Ramon: Measure N
Our endorsement: Vote ✅ YES on Measure N
Measure N proposes a one cent sales tax increase in San Ramon for a period of 10 years. It is estimated to raise $15.7M/year to add to the general fund. Street repairs, street and road improvements, and road safety all listed as possible expenditures.
While we are disappointed that San Ramon has yet to construct any of the dozen protected bikeways recommended in their 2018 bike plan, the city is currently updating the plan and this added funding availability could help them get back on track with network development.
Union City: Measure QQ
Our endorsement: Vote ✅ YES on Measure QQ
Measure QQ proposes a gross receipts tax on Union city businesses of up to a 1/4 cent (though lower for most business categories). If passed, it will go into effect April 1, 2025.
It is estimated to raise $3.5M/year to add to the general fund, with “street and pothole repairs” listed as possible expenditure. Union City is starting construction now on the city’s first major separated bikeway, delivered alongside a paving project. We are hopeful that with added funding, this type of coordination will expand to other streets.
Richmond: Chevron Settlement
Notably NOT up for a vote this November is Richmond’s proposed oil refinery tax measure. Earlier this summer it was pulled from the ballot, and the city instead accepted a 10-year settlement from Chevron in the amount of $550M ($50M per year over the first 5 years, $60M per year over the next 5).
Richmond intends to leverage this funding to help offset the impacts on air quality, sustainability, and climate change related to the local refineries. A public process is underway with Richmond City Council to identify how the settlement funds will be used, and what oversight will be provided.