The 11-member independent committee reviews how the funds, also known as OC Go, are spent to improve transportation in Orange County and found OCTA is delivering on promises for 32nd straight year
ORANGE – The Measure M Taxpayer Oversight Committee has determined for the 32nd consecutive year that Measure M transportation investment plan is being delivered as promised to the voters of Orange County.
The Taxpayer Oversight Committee held its annual Measure M public hearing Tuesday, June 13, and found that the Orange County Transportation Authority is proceeding in accordance with the Measure M plan, which was renewed by 70% of voters in 2006.
“We know that the taxpayers of Orange County entrust OCTA to be good shepherds of the funds collected through Measure M, to properly invest those funds in improving the way people move throughout our county,” said OCTA Director Michael Hennessey, chairman of OCTA’s Finance and Administration Committee and a public member of the Board of Directors since 2011. “We appreciate the good work of this independent committee and I’m proud that for 32 straight years the TOC has determined that those funds are being used as intended.”
The independent 11-member oversight committee was formed to monitor OCTA’s use of Measure M funding, approve all changes to the investment plan and hold annual public hearings on whether OCTA is proceeding in accordance with the plan.
Measure M, or OC Go, will continue funding balanced and sustainable transportation improvements through 2041 with revenues expected to exceed $15 billion. The voter-approved funding plan allocates 43% to freeways, 32% to streets and roads, 25% to transit, and includes two environmental programs.
The goals of Measure M include:
- Relieving congestion
- Maintaining transportation infrastructure
- Supporting rail and community transit options
- Synchronize signals across cities and the county
- Reducing costs for seniors and people with disabilities
- Preserving and restoring natural habitat in perpetuity, and
- Reducing transportation-related pollution in Orange County.
The original Measure M made possible more than $4 billion worth of transportation improvements to help Orange County residents, workers and visitors travel more efficiently throughout all parts of the county.
For more information about Measure M or the Taxpayer Oversight Committee, visit www.octa.net/TOC.
