Lots of Discussion about Measure M – the Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan

As you know, next Tuesday (November 8) county residents will vote on Measure M – the Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan, a sales tax measure placed on the ballot by Los Angeles County Metro. The measure proposes a new half-cent sales tax starting in July 2017, along with an extension of the 2008-voter approved Measure R half-cent sales tax beyond the current expiration year of 2039.

If approved by two-thirds of voters, the Foothill Gold Line to the county line in Claremont would be one of the first of about 40 major capital transit and highway projects to break ground under the measure.

There has been a lot of discussion in the county newspapers about Measure M. Here is a sampling of some of the most recent articles, opinions and letters to the editor:

Editorial: L.A. County residents need alternatives to sitting in soul-crushing traffic. Vote yes on Measure M – Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-measure-m-20160927-snap-story.html

Op-Ed: Provincial feuding over Measure M will make traffic and mobility worse for everyone – Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-elkind-measure-m-parochial-opposition-20161025-snap-story.html

Measure M: Critical for LA’s Economic Future – Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-leslie/measure-m-critical-for-la_b_12625240.html

Measure M can thaw L.A. County’s glacial traffic: Guest commentary – Pasadena Star-News http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/opinion/20161028/measure-m-can-thaw-la-countys-glacial-traffic-guest-commentary

Measure M would get L.A. County transit up to speed: Zev Yaroslavsky – Los Angeles Daily News http://www.dailynews.com/opinion/20161028/measure-m-would-get-la-county-transit-up-to-speed-zev-yaroslavsky

Yes on M; we must invest in transportation: Guest commentary – Inland Valley Daily Bulletin http://www.dailybulletin.com/opinion/20161028/yes-on-m-we-must-invest-in-transportation-guest-commentary

Car-crazy Los Angeles might have a few things to teach the smug Bay Area about mass transit – Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-transit-bay-area-la-20161028-story.html

On Measure M, readers disagree with the editorial board: Letters – San Gabriel Valley Tribune http://www.sgvtribune.com/opinion/20161028/on-measure-m-readers-disagree-with-the-editorial-board-letters

Measure M has a detailed expenditure plan which lays out how the new funds generated by the tax would be spent over the first four decades. More information about Measure M can be found at theplan.metro.net.