Proponents of tax surprised by big win

Sure, the mayor of Pico Rivera ( along with the city manager and many staffers) wanted Measure P to pass. The measure proposed raising the sales tax by one percent to close a $4.8 million budget gap and would allow the city to tackle a library project and parks improvements.

Some even expected it would pass, but most everyone said it would be a nail-biter election. And when I came in to work on Election Night, I was expecting a close race, maybe too close to call before deadlines for the Wednesday newspaper.

Instead, the measure won by a landslide, with 68 percent of voters in support. The measure needed just a simple majority (50 percent plus one) to pass.

Watch the paper this weekend for a story that explains why officials believe the measure did so well, despite the shaky economy and concerns about government spending.