Bellingham, WA – Sales Tax, Apr. 2010

Bellingham, WA

Election Date: April 27, 2010
Type: Sales Tax
Revenue Type:
Transit Revenue Explanation:
Outcome: Loss for Transit
Results: Failed, 49.1%-50.9%

A sales tax increase has been placed on the April ballot for the Whatcom Transportation Authority. Under state law, the transit authority can ask voters for up to an additional three-tenths of 1 percent of local sales tax. The agency, which is running deficits and facing big service cuts and layoffs as sales tax revenues falter, currently collects six-tenths of 1 percent. Roughly 90 percent of WTA's income is from the tax, with fares providing most of the rest.