Measure M Keeping its Promises to Orange County

The Measure M Taxpayer Oversight Committee has determined that Measure M is being delivered as promised to Orange County voters for the 25th consecutive year.

The committee held its annual Measure M public hearing Tuesday night, and unanimously found that the Orange County Transportation Authority is proceeding in accordance with the ordinances that were first approved by voters in 1990 and renewed by 70 percent of voters in 2006.

The independent, 11-member oversight committee was formed to monitor OCTA’s use of Measure M funding, approve all changes to the Measure M plan and hold annual public hearings on the expenditure of funds generated by Measure M.

“For 25 years, OCTA has worked tirelessly delivering on the promises of Measure M and it is great to hear that the independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee agrees once again,” said OCTA Chair Lori Donchak. “Every O.C. resident has benefitted from Measure M in some way and our commitment to improving transportation through this voter-approved program will continue for years to come.”

The original Measure M half-cent sales tax made possible more than $4 billion worth of transportation improvements. Since 1990, hundreds of local projects have been completed that help residents travel throughout the county every day. This includes improvements to freeways, widened streets, synchronized signals and improved intersections. Measure M also made possible Metrolink commuter-rail service in Orange County. 

Measure M is expected to generate nearly $15 billion to fund transportation improvements through 2041. Freeways will receive 43 percent of the funding, streets and roads receive 32 percent and transit receives 25 percent of M dollars. Measure M’s freeway program includes funding for an environmental program that preserves and restores natural habitat and improves water quality.