SANDAG’s $4 Billion Measure A Error leads to Taxpayers Review, Recommendations

Working group analyzed SANDAG’s errant revenue projections and information it shares with taxpayer

​SAN DIEGO (Mar. 29, 2017) — The San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA) recently formed a working group to analyze errant revenue and expenditure projections SANDAG made on a tax measure it spearheaded. The group also met to determine the steps the regional transportation agency should take to correct this problem while making it easier for taxpayers to better understand complicated ballot measures. 

SDCTA invited the public and members of government agencies to participate in four working groups focused on SANDAG, school bonds, behavioral health for kids and greenhouse gas reduction. The goal is to engage a variety of people and apply their insights and experiences to SDCTA policy recommendations.

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​The SANDAG working group met twice in recent weeks. As part of its independent analysis, the group is reviewing SANDAG’s 7-point corrective plan. Nine San Diegans are members of SDCTA’s SANDAG working group, including two SDCTA staff members and other taxpayer watchdogs. The group is finalizing its recommendations and analysis for consideration by the full Association, a process that should be complete in April.
 
SANDAG recently committed to retaining outside experts to analyze whether officials intentionally misled voters with the errant data in support of Measure A, which voters rejected last year. As such, SDCTA’s working group is not addressing that issue.
 
SANDAG had said Measure A would raise $18 billion but reporting by Voice of San Diego and internal checks led the agency to release a forecast following the election that projected revenues at $14 billion.
 
“There clearly was an error with SANDAG’s calculations and that meant voters received inaccurate information,” said Haney Hong, SDCTA’s President and CEO. “The Taxpayers Association wants to help address that problem while also ensuring SANDAG is sharing accurate and consumable information so taxpayers are equipped to make well-informed decisions at the ballot box.”

About
The San Diego County Taxpayers Association is a non-profit, non-partisan organization, dedicated to promoting accountable, cost-effective and efficient government and opposing unnecessary new taxes and fees. For the last 70 years, the SDCTA has been providing information to help educate the public and save the region’s taxpayers millions. Public opinion polls consistently rate the SDCTA as the most "influential” and “trusted” public policy institution in San Diego

Contact: Tony Manolatos
tony@mnmadpr.com