Official City of Long Beach Statement Regarding State Judge’s Ruling That the City’s Local Sales Tax Increase That Supports Local Infrastructure and Public Safety Will Begin in[...]

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PRESS RELEASE

The recent ruling by a State judge regarding when the City of Long Beach local Measure A tax increase can go into effect, brings clarity on next steps for the City. This ruling allows the City to focus its planning for 2027 to provide additional investments in infrastructure and public safety for our community.

In both 2016 and 2020, voters approved Measure A to invest in public safety and infrastructure. Voters approved an initial 1/2 cent sales tax, increasing to a full 1% when the County cap was lifted. When the County Measure H tax expired, legal ambiguity existed over whether the City's sales tax should increase immediately, or wait until 2027, and what the intent of the majority of voters was.

The City worked collaboratively with the State to review this issue, and both agreed a judge should review the entirety of the case and the ambiguity surrounding the start date of the increase to 1%. Given the $60 million in funds for public safety and infrastructure at stake, the City pursued the ruling by the court so as to best represent the interests of the majority of voters who approved Measure A and supported increased investment in public safety and infrastructure.

The recent ruling by the judge indicates that the 1% will go into effect in 2027. The funds will be available in 2027, therefore any new Measure A investments in public safety and infrastructure will be considered at that time.

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