Wow! Measure A failed 58% No, 42% Yes. This when the proponents out spent the opponents 100 to 1.
While I would like to think that it was my lawn sign that made the difference, I know that it was "You want to raise our sales tax to the highest in the state? I think not!" sentiment that did this measure in.
Measure A 2006 was an attempt to rebuild the BART to San Jose egg. The Silicon Valley Leadership Group over sold BART to San Jose in 2000. When the valley's economy crashed in 2001 it became clear that there was no way to complete BART (let alone opperate it) and all of the other promised transit improvements with the funds from the 2000 sales tax increase, more money was needed.
Learning that a special quarter cent transit tax would not get the needed 2/3's majority, the BART proponents made a deal with the County. Put a general half cent tax on the ballot, let us take half of it for BART, and we will make sure that it gets passed by the needed 50%+1 majority.
Until I saw the election results last night, I assumed that the approach was going to work. Just about everyone endorsed the measure. I figured that it was a done deal. It must have been a kick to the gut for them when Measure A 2006 failed big time.
It will be interesting to see how they try to revive BART to San Jose now.
12:35:33 PM 
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