Supporters Of L.a. County Healthcare Sales Tax Declare Victory

Supporters of a half-cent income taxation projected to thief money wellness services successful Los Angeles County declared triumph Tuesday aft days of steadily gaining crushed arsenic much ballots were counted.

The latest results show nan “yes” campy up by a slim margin, pinch conscionable much than 50% of nan vote. The measurement needs a elemental mostly to win.

“Today, Angelenos sent a clear message: we return attraction of each other,” said Jim Mangia, main executive of St. John’s Community Health and a spokesperson for nan campaign, successful a statement. “For months, we watched Washington make decisions that stripped healthcare distant from hundreds of thousands of our neighbors — and today, Los Angeles County answered.”

The run said it would beryllium organizing a news convention Wednesday to observe nan “historic win.”

The proposal, connected nan ballot arsenic Measure ER, had gained traction since predetermination night, erstwhile results showed nan taxation had grounded to summation a mostly of support among early voters. Voters person not rejected a income taxation hike successful L.A. County since 2012, erstwhile a proscription measurement fell conscionable short of a needed two-thirds majority pinch 66.1% support.

Approval of Measure ER would enforce a caller income taxation of half a penny of each dollar spent successful nan county, pinch nan proceeds going to section hospitals and clinics that opportunity they’re bleeding backing aft national cuts. Officials expect it will bring successful $1 cardinal annually to spot nan holes successful nan wellness services network.

The tax, which was championed by a conjugation of healthcare advocates, takes effect Oct. 1 and will past for 5 years.