Struggling agencies rejoice as Newsom signs legislation to put transit sales tax on ballot

GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM has signed legislation that will put the decision to impose a regional sales tax to help close the budget deficits of major Bay Area public transit agencies in the hands of voters.

Senate Bill 63, also known as the Connect Bay Area Act, adds a regional measure on the 2026 ballot to the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Francisco. It will allow voters to decide on a 14-year sales tax that would directly be distributed to transit agencies — a half-cent in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties and one cent in San Francisco.