California County’s Sales Tax Measure Clears Appellate Challenge

A half-percent sales tax that Alameda County, Calif., voters approved on their 2020 ballot will stand after a state appeals court rejected a taxpayer advocacy group’s challenge.

The ballot initiative, called Measure W, isn’t a special tax earmarked for specific purposes that requires approval by a two-thirds vote, the California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, ruled in a Jan. 31 partially published opinion. Although the ballot question gave examples of the “essential county services” that the increased taxes could provide, it made clear that the proceeds would go to the county’s general fund, Justice Mark B. Simons wrote ...