Voters in San Mateo County will have another chance this June to provide a dedicated source of funding for our local parks. Measure O will help meet critical funding gaps for parks and recreation in each of the county’s twenty cities, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Ladera and Highlands Recreation Districts, and the 13 parks owned by San Mateo County.

Measure A, a similar measure on the November 2006 ballot, fell short of the necessary 2/3 majority. Several factors worked against its passage: lower than predicted voter turnout; aggressive state wide, anti-tax campaigns against cigarette and oil taxes; and its placement at the end of a long, four-page ballot. Many volunteers worked on other crucial races, and many assumed that a parks funding measure would pass without their help. We now know otherwise!

Strong Support for Measure O
The Measure O campaign this spring will have a robust organization, and will focus on the benefits to each city. Two polls conducted in September 2007 and January 2008 show that local parks continue to have very strong support with 70 percent of those polled supporting Measure O despite the recent economic downturn. Our polling also identified the most effective messages to use in swaying undecided voters.

Estimates show that Measure O will provide approximately $16 million in revenue, annually, generated by a one-eighth cent sales tax that will cost the average resident less than $2 per month. Under the funding formula, 52% of the revenues would be distributed to the cities in the County based on population. Of the remaining revenue, 42% would be allocated to San Mateo County parks and 6% to the three parks and open space districts operating in the County.

The Case for Measure O
Revenues from Measure O will be used to support local parks and recreation services, including acquiring and developing parkland, maintaining and preserving open space and wildlife habitat, repairing and upgrading playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports fields, and after-school programs and summer programs for children and teens.

How You Can Help
The campaign for Measure O needs everyone’s help. Getting the required two-thirds vote is tough.

You can help by donating to the campaign, endorsing the measure, and spreading the word to your friends, neighbors, and beyond! To make a contribution, volunteer, or get more info, visit www.ParksfortheFuture.org.

Published Spring 2008 in Green Footnotes.

Page last updated May 26, 2008.