Contra Costa officials begin campaign for half-cent sales tax on November ballot

Contra Costa County officials formally kicked off a campaign Friday supporting a half-cent countywide sales tax ballot measure, and remain confident that a state Senate bill still in limbo in Sacramento that would make the county measure viable will soon become law.

The Contra Costa County sales tax measure, Measure X, depends on the passage of SB 1349, drafted by Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda. The original bill has been amended to include language providing relief to the county and several cities — including Danville, Lafayette, Pittsburg and San Ramon — for future similar tax measures. Without passage of SB 1349, the countywide measure cannot move forward.