At a rally on April 26, City Heights residents and members of the Quality of Life coalition called on the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to prioritize mass transit projects before it asks voters to support a raise in the county sales tax. The coalition represents more than 20 community-based, regional organizations and 150,000 San Diego residents.

Community leaders urged SANDAG to prioritize funding for projects that promote clean air, better transit, good jobs, and no-cost youth bus passes.

The rally also aimed to raise public awareness of a crucial vote that took place on April 29th, when SANDAG decided which transportation projects will be funded by a half-cent sales tax ballot initiative proposed for November. If the ballot measure passes, voters have the opportunity to generate funding for the future of transportation in San Diego for the next 40 years.
 
Coalition leaders also highlighted the overwhelming support needed for a tax measure to win at the ballot box. "We want to work with SANDAG, but they can't win a tax measure without broad community support. If voters are asked to support a half-cent sales tax, SANDAG must show that it understands the issues that voters care about," said Nicole Capretz, Executive Director of the Climate Action Campaign.