Petaluma To Vote On County Sales-Tax Measures G, I

PETALUMA, CA — Petaluma residents will head to the polls Tuesday to vote on ballot items that include two countywide sales-tax increases: Measure G, a half-cent sales tax that would provide revenue for wildfire prevention and protection; and Measure I, a countywide extension of a quarter-cent sales-tax increase that funds SMART (Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit). Each measure needs approval by at least two-thirds of the county's voters in order to pass.

MEASURE G

Petaluma stands to receive nearly $2 million — $1.96 million to be exact— per year from Measure G proceeds should Sonoma County voters approve the proposed half-cent sales tax hike. Yearly, Measure G would generate around $51 million for the county as a whole.

Ninety percent — $45.9 million — of the annual proceeds from Measure G would be divided among the Petaluma Fire Department and the county's 37 other incorporated and unincorporated fire agencies. The funds would go toward: recruitment and retention of firefighters; emergency alerts, warnings and sirens; wildfire prevention and preparedness, including vegetation management; fire response; and equipment and facilities.

More here about Measure G.

MEASURE I

A yes vote on Measure I would extend the tax another 30 years past its current expiration date of 2029, to 2059, while a no vote would prohibit SMART from extending the tax past March 31, 2029.

The tax was first approved by voters in Marin and Sonoma counties in 2008 and is said to generate around $40 million annually for SMART.

More here about Measure I.

The ballot for Petalumans also includes races for Congress, state Senate and state Assembly.

In the race for Congress — U.S. House of Representatives 2nd District — Incumbent Democrat Jared Huffman is facing challengers Democrat Rachel Moniz, Republican Dale K. Mensing, Green Party candidate Melissa Bradley and American Independent Party candidate Charles "Wally" Coppock.

For California Senate 3rd District, Democrat Bill Dodd is running unopposed.

For California Assembly 10th District, incumbent Marc Levine, a Democrat, is running against Republican Rod Sondergaard and Democrats Ted Cabral and Veronica "Roni" Jacobi.

After casting your votes Tuesday, come back to Patch for live election-night results on Measure G and Measure I, as well as coverage of local, regional, state and national races.

Find a polling place near you.