MTA sales tax measure advances

A measure allowing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to ask voters to approve a half-cent sales tax cleared the Assembly on Thursday.
The measure, AB 2321 by Assemblyman Mike Feuer, D-Los Angeles, would allow the MTA to assess the tax for 30 years to bring in an estimated $39 billion to pay for projects in its long range plan, including the Subway to the Sea.
"Los Angeles desperately needs to improve our transportation infrastructure. People spend too much time in their idling cars sitting in traffic rather than at home with their families," Feuer said. "This bill could enable Los Angeles residents to transform our region."
Local officials are still debating whether to place the measure on the November ballot, with possible competition from a sales tax increase being considered by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to balance the state budget.