Foster City has long been recognized as a transit-poor community — lacking direct access to BART or Caltrain and served only minimally by bus routes. This reality was central to the decision made by our City Council to direct me to vote to oppose participation in Senate Bill 63, a proposed regional half-cent sales tax aimed at funding public transit. Foster City residents should not be asked to fund services they cannot easily access — especially without clear oversight or equitable return on investment.
As currently written, SB 63 would direct more than $600 million in San Mateo County taxpayer funds to BART and Muni. Yet, the measure includes little local control over how those funds are spent or how our communities will benefit.
I commend Assemblymember Diane Papan for her leadership and timely intervention in this bill. Her advocacy for critical amendments — including the creation of a San Mateo County oversight committee, equitable transit service, consistent fares, cleaner and safer stations, and a guaranteed return-to-source funding mechanism — reflects a commitment to fairness and accountability.
These provisions are essential safeguards. Without them, we risk funneling taxpayer dollars into a system that may continue to overlook our residents’ needs.
I urge my fellow elected officials throughout our county to stand firm and insist that these amendments be included in any final version of SB 63. If not, I hope we will speak at the polls to ensure we have a seat at a well-funded table.
The letter writer is the mayor of Foster City. Views her own.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.