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Santa Clara County Sales Tax Measure A Leads in Early Returns

County officials say the five-eighths-cent tax would help offset federal Medi-Cal cuts to protect the public hospital network.

Overview

  • Initial election-night counts show about 57% of voters backing Measure A, which requires a simple majority to pass.
  • County leaders estimate the tax would generate roughly $330 million annually but acknowledge it would not fully cover the shortfall and some reductions are still likely.
  • Revenue would flow to the county’s general fund rather than being legally earmarked for hospitals, prompting criticisms over potential diversion and the regressive impact of a sales tax.
  • Support came from a broad coalition including San José Mayor Matt Mahan, District Attorney Jeff Rosen, public-safety unions, Rep. Ro Khanna and Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens, following a well-funded campaign that raised more than $2.6 million including $525,000 from Valley Health Foundation.
  • A judge kept the measure on the ballot but ordered Trump’s name removed from the ballot language, and opponents filed complaints over county-funded mailers and the sheriff allegedly campaigning in uniform.