LOS ANGELES, CA — A proposed half-cent sales tax increase to fund the Los Angeles Fire Department was narrowly leading Wednesday morning, while nine other city and county ballot measures were receiving stronger support from voters.
All 10 measures on Tuesday's ballot had majority support as of Wednesday morning, according to the latest results released at 3:11 a.m. by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
Measure FD, which would generate an estimated $345 million annually for the Los Angeles Fire Department, had 53.63% support, compared with 46.37% opposition.
If approved, the measure would raise the city's sales tax from 10.25% to 10.75%, with revenue going toward new fire stations, additional firefighters and equipment upgrades.
The measure was proposed in the wake of the devastating January 2025 Palisades Fire. It was backed by firefighter unions and Mayor Karen Bass but opposed by the Los Angeles Police Protective League and Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Meanwhile, Measure TE had nearly 64% support. The measure would provide Pacific Palisades property owners with a temporary exemption from the city's so-called "mansion tax" if they sell qualifying properties within five years of the wildfire.
Six other city measures were also leading. They would make changes to government ethics and oversight, infrastructure spending, planning and development rules, parks funding, city-owned utilities and school board campaign regulations.
Countywide, Measure E had 73% support. It would establish the county's independent ethics commission in the County Charter and restore funding requirements for community programs and alternatives to incarceration.
Measure A, which would prohibit certain county public safety employees from striking and require binding arbitration in labor disputes, had nearly 65% support.
The results remained preliminary Wednesday, with additional ballots still to be counted. The next ballot-count update is scheduled to be released between 4 and 5 p.m. Wednesday.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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