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The Chamber Board of Directors voted to support Connect Bay Area, the regional transit measure on the November ballot. The measure would establish a 14-year, half-cent sales tax across five Bay Area counties to preserve transit service and fund local transportation improvements. Santa Clara County is projected to generate approximately $264 million annually, with roughly 85 cents of every dollar raised here returning to the county for VTA, Caltrain and related transportation investments.
Reliable transit is essential to our region’s economy. It connects employers to workers, expands access to jobs and helps keep already-congested roads moving. Without new funding, Caltrain and other regional transit systems face significant service reductions beginning in 2027.
The Chamber recognizes that an additional sales tax comes at a cost to residents and businesses. After months of review, however, the Chamber concluded that the economic consequences of major transit cuts — including increased congestion and reduced workforce mobility — pose a greater risk to the South Bay economy.
Our support also comes with a commitment to accountability. If the measure passes, the Chamber will remain actively engaged in tracking how these dollars are spent, particularly the significant funding returning to VTA, and advocating for investments that deliver a stronger, more effective transit system for San Jose and Santa Clara County.
In addition to sharing our ballot positions, the Chamber will host a San Jose City Council District 9 Candidate Forum on October 15. Stay tuned to our newsletter for additional details and registration information.
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