Riverside County Voters Won’t Be Asked to Approve New Local Funding in 2024

The Point: The Commission will not seek a new transportation sales tax measure this year to fund projects in the 2024 Traffic Relief Plan

After extensive public outreach and evaluation of the transportation needs across Riverside County, the Commission has decided that 2024 is not the year to ask Riverside County residents to approve a one-cent sales tax measure to fund transportation projects and services outlined in the Commission-approved 2024 Traffic Relief Plan (TRP). The TRP was developed over a years-long public input effort with Riverside County residents identifying over $30 billion in needed transportation improvements in communities across Riverside County.

"The Traffic Relief Plan shows that we are listening to our residents and looking for ways to reduce traffic congestion, invest in public transportation, fill potholes, and respond to natural disasters to keep our roads safe," said RCTC Chair Lloyd White and Beaumont City Council Member. "Now it's not the time to seek voter approval on a new measure to fund the Traffic Relief Plan, but I think the time is coming soon."

While the Commission was informed at its July 10 meeting that there is significant countywide public support to fund transportation projects, the high public support is just shy of the 2/3rds voter approval threshold required by law to pass a sales tax measure in Riverside County. What has remained consistent throughout years of public engagement is that around 80% of Riverside County voters believe there is at least some need for funding to solve the region's transportation issues.

The TRP's proactive framework was designed to meet the region's transportation needs based on the anticipated population and economic growth as predicted by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Although the Commission has decided not to place a sales tax measure on the 2024 General Election ballot, the improvements and investments identified in the TRP are ready to be implemented when funding becomes available. Projects such as the Coachella Valley Rail, I-15 Express Lanes Southern Extension, Perris Valley Line Double Tracking, and the Mid-County Parkway Ramona Expressway continue to make strides under the current funding levels. Still, more funding will be needed to build the transportation system that Riverside County residents deserve.