News and Issues

Whether they used transit or not, St. Louis County voters made the right choice and decided they needed it! With strong backing from a diverse group of community groups, employers, local leaders, labor, universities, healthcare organizations and more, Proposition A, a ½-cent sales tax in St. Louis County, passed on April 6!

It will provide revenue needed for continued operation and expansion of the transit system including MetroLink, Metrobus and Call-A-Ride services for the disabled. The margin of victory was 63% to 37%, despite the lingering effects of the national recession and voter concerns about the economy. The County tax will raise approximately $75 million annually – and now triggers a matching quarter cent sales tax that was passed in the City of St. Louis in 1997 which will add an additional $8 million a year to the program.

“The passage of Prop. A could not have come at a more critical time for public transit in this region. It truly was a make or break moment for the region. This time we had support from a diverse group of individuals, employers and organizations, support from the St. Clair County Transit District, the endorsement of more than 230 organizations and individuals, and the foresight of the CMT Board of Directors to lay the groundwork to change public perception about public transit with an education campaign that I believe moved people to rethink their vision of transit. The future looks bright, and CMT will be working very hard to ensure that the right choices are made to move transit in the right direction in the region,” said Thomas Shrout, executive director of CMT.

Advance St. Louis, the campaign committee, was led by a Steering Committee of local business, academic, and community leaders chaired by Washington University Chancellor Mark Wrighton.

In addition, the Greater St. Louis Transit Alliance comprised of more than 50 local organizations provided constant outreach to their members in support of Prop. A.

“The amount of effort put forth by members of the Transit Alliance provided for a depth and breadth of outreach that would have required thousands and thousands of dollars had this group not stepped up to the plate for transit. Their efforts must be applauded by the St. Louis region as a truly successful grassroots campaign to bring about change for transit,” Said Nancy Cross, chair of the Greater St. Louis Transit Alliance and CMT Board member.

“The Cardinals tip our caps to each of you [Campaign Committee members]. This was a team effort from top to bottom. You should feel proud about your championship performance! The region is a better place because of your tireless efforts and leadership,” said Ron Watermon, Director of Public Relations and Civic Affairs, St. Louis Cardinals, LLC in a letter to Tom Shrout following April 6.

The new half cent sales tax will go into effect in the fourth quarter of this year.

What Passing Proposition A means for you and St.Louis: