Solano EDC Backing Sales-Tax Measure

Agency Backing Sales-Tax Measure
Reporter Editor:

The Solano Economic Development Corporation heartily endorses a positive vote and the passage of the Solano County traffic relief and safety plan called Measure H on the June 6 ballot.

Why would an economic development corporation endorse increasing taxes to fix Solano County's transportation system?

• Solano County's future economy and our current jobs rely on a safe and efficient transportation system for timely shipment and delivery of goods and services to your customers.

• Congestion and deterioration on the highway corridors of Interstate 80, I-680 and I-780 and along state Highway 12 from Jameson Canyon to Rio Vista must be repaired now. Without maintenance and upgrades enabled by Measure H, traffic delays will reduce productivity, increase costs and cause unsafe road conditions for all of us all the time.

• Measure H will provide for reliable transit systems to get employees to and from work, while providing improved response for medical and other emergency services to those in need.

• With the half-cent "self-help" sales tax investment, we will still remain the lowest sales tax county in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento regions, while allowing matching funds to be utilized to solve Solano County's transportation infrastructure problem. Current levels of funding will never allow a final solution to fixing the interchange at I-80 and I-680.

• Finally, Solano EDC is committed to retaining and growing local businesses, while attracting new business to create new jobs that will reduce commuting to adjourning counties. Measure H is essential to do both.

I urge voters to vote in favor of Measure H on June 6 or on your absentee ballot to ensure your investment in Solano County and our economic future.

Mike Ammann, President, Solano Economic Development Corp.