Put a half-cent sales tax for health care on the June 2026 ballot (Measure ER)
Approved the resolution and ordinance placing a general sales tax measure on the June 2, 2026 ballot to preserve County services cut by H.R. 1. Recommended by Supervisors Mitchell and Solis.
Roll call and money
- MitchellYes
- HorvathYes
- HahnYes
- SolisYes
- BargerNo
Because the County placed it as a general tax, it needed a simple majority of voters. The spending plan was a separate vote the same day.
From vote to money- ✓
VoteFeb 10, 2026
The Board votes 4-1 to place the measure on the ballot.
- ✓
Approved by votersJun 2, 2026
Voters approve it narrowly (50.35% yes in the June 8 count).
- ✓
Tax collected from youOct 1, 2026
Stores start collecting it. The countywide rate rises from 9.75% to 10.25%.
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Tax sent to the governmentMonthly, on the state's schedule
The state's tax agency pays districts each month: two advances of about 30%, then a clean-up of about 40% each quarter.
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Money held back (escrow or reserve)Until the lawsuit is decided
State law requires the County to hold the money in escrow while a challenge to AB 1768 is pending. One analysis estimates two years or more.
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Money paid outNothing yet
No Measure ER money can be spent while it's in escrow.
- H.R. 1 (2025 federal budget law): The 2025 federal budget law cut federal support for Medicaid (Medi-Cal) and food benefits (CalFresh) and added work requirements. The County's health and social service budgets absorb much of the cut.
- Measure ER (2026): A countywide half-cent general sales tax approved by voters in June 2026 to help keep County health care and safety-net services running after federal and state cuts. It took effect October 1, 2026 and ends after five years. Because it is a general tax, the money goes into the County's General Fund. The Board's spending plan puts health care first. A lawsuit challenges the state law that allowed the County to exceed the usual sales tax cap, so the money is held in escrow until the case is decided.