Policy and Advocacy: Electoral
June 2026 Endorsements
Support
Measure B will extend the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) voter-approved quarter cent sales tax for 30 years beginning in 2029 without increasing the tax rate. The SMART Initiative is a citizen-led measure that will raise about $51 million a year to continue train and bike-pedestrian pathway service, complete planned expansion, maintain clean and safe service, as well as reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Every person on SMART (about 4,400 weekday riders) means less congestion on Highway 101 and less greenhouse gas emissions. High-quality rail service also enables greater mobility for households who live and work in the North Bay by providing passenger rail and a bicycle/pedestrian pathway system linking 17 stations across both counties. We urge voters in Marin and Sonoma Counties to support Measure B as it will sustain and expand SMART, improve access to jobs, and make it easier to build new, transit-accessible, affordable homes in the North Bay.
Yes on Measure E – City of Oakland: Save our Essential Services
Measure E is a nine-year special parcel tax, starting in July 2027, that will generate approximately $34 million annually to fund housing and homelessness services, emergency response times, fire services, as well as programs that keep public spaces clean and accessible. The purpose of this temporary measure is to stabilize the City of Oakland’s budget and close the structural deficit while providing the city with time to plan for growing the economy and city revenues in a sustainable manner. Measure E is a citizen-led initiative that will impose a $192 annual parcel tax on single-family parcels and other real estate, with exemptions for certain low-income households, seniors and others. By law, funds generated by this tax can only be spent on the uses designated in the measure and voted on by residents. MidPen urges voters in the City of Oakland to support Measure E to keep building on the progress that has been made towards addressing homelessness and keeping community members housed.