EBLC Takes Positions on Key Contra Costa County Ballot Measures
Current Ballot Measure Positions
As the June election approaches, EBLC is highlighting several ballot measures we currently support based on their alignment with our mission to advance economic vitality and quality of life across the East Bay. These measures reflect our focus on issues such as healthcare stability, workforce and education infrastructure, and sustainable land use.
This list reflects our current positions. We will continue to monitor other regional measures for potential consideration as the election nears.
Explore our staff analysis to learn more about the merits of each measure and their potential impacts.
Overview of the Measure
Since Contra Costa County’s Urban Limit Line (ULL) is set to expire at the end of this year, Measure A would extend it through December 31, 2051. The ULL defines the geographic boundary between areas designated for urban development and land that must remain open space. The measure would reinforce this structure by making minor updates to the map while maintaining the 65/35 land preservation standard, ensuring that at least 65% of county land remains designated for non-urban uses and no more than 35% is available for development.
Measure A would also update the criteria for determining which lands should remain outside the ULL to ensure that future development accounts for mounting wildfire, flooding, sea-level rise, and other significant climate-related risks. In addition, the measure would integrate the ULL review with state-mandated General Plan Housing Element updates, which occur approximately every 8 years. Synchronizing the review cycles would guarantee that the county periodically evaluates whether sufficient land exists within the ULL to accommodate housing needs.
EBLC Position
EBLC has taken a support position on Measure A. We recognize concerns that limiting developable land could increase housing costs by constraining supply, as land availability is a key factor in pricing. However, the updated boundary would not meaningfully expand development opportunities. Most areas outside the ULL are already constrained by environmental or infrastructure limitations.
Instead, the measure would reduce sprawl and encourage infill development, supporting denser housing patterns that can help moderate costs while reducing vehicle miles traveled and emissions.
Focusing growth within existing communities also strengthens the local economy and quality of life by improving access to jobs, services, and transportation. At the same time, it advances environmental resilience and protects agricultural land and natural habitats.
Overview of the Measure
Measure B would impose an additional 0.625% countywide sales tax for five years, expected to generate approximately $150 million annually. The revenue from Measure B would go into the county’s general fund, but is intended to fund county health programs.
The measure is being placed on the ballot in response to H.R.1, which significantly reduces federal support for healthcare coverage and related programs, including Medi-Cal and CalFresh. Contra Costa County projects that over 90,000 residents could lose healthcare coverage due to new eligibility and funding changes. The county anticipates $239 million in lost healthcare revenue by 2029, and by 2031 it could face a cumulative $1 billion deficit in healthcare funding.
The county’s hospital system is also facing significant financial strain, with projections showing its Enterprise Fund going negative by FY2029 without new revenue, while Medi-Cal eligibility changes are expected to sharply increase administrative demands, requiring nearly double the number of workers responsible for screening benefits eligibility.
EBLC Position
EBLC has taken a support position on Measure B. We take concerns about layered tax increases and overall affordability very seriously, especially in a region where cost pressures are already high. New taxes should meet a high bar, and we do not approach them lightly. In this case, however, we see a clear economic nexus between this investment and the region’s long-term stability.
While the measure would result in additional costs to consumers, projected at about $10 per month for median income earners and $5 per month for seniors, the scale of the impacts and the temporary nature of the tax lead us to conclude that the benefits outweigh the burden.
Immigrant families are already facing increasing barriers to accessing essential services, and looming changes to Medi-Cal eligibility under H.R. 1 could further restrict healthcare access. The impacts would extend well beyond immigrants to many residents who rely on affordable coverage and hospital care.
When people lose access to coverage, they are more likely to delay care and rely on emergency departments, driving poorer outcomes and higher system-wide costs. Healthcare providers are also among the largest employers in Contra Costa County, so added strain on the system affects jobs, services, and the broader regional economy.
Overview of the Measure
Measure G would authorize the Contra Costa Community College District to issue up to $920 million in bonds to fund campus facility improvements across Contra Costa, Diablo Valley, and Los Medanos colleges. If approved, Measure G would levy approximately $10 per $100,000 of assessed property value annually while the bonds are outstanding and would generate roughly $57 million each year.
Although capital improvement projects funded by past 4CD bonds significantly improved district infrastructure, many campus buildings are approaching the end of their useful life and require upgrades to meet current safety, accessibility, sustainability, and technology standards. Major proposed investments include an updated early childhood education facility, a nursing and EMT training hub, electrical and utility upgrades, and modernized infrastructure designed to reduce emissions.
EBLC Position
EBLC has taken a support position on Measure G. Contra Costa Community College District serves around 50,000 students annually and employs approximately 3,400 faculty and staff. Its programs and operations generate about $2.3 billion in added income each year and support an estimated 23,752 jobs across the region. The district also plays a critical role in connecting students to local employers and building workforce pathways into in-demand careers.
EBLC recognizes that concerns about affordability and tax burdens are valid, particularly in a high-cost region. New taxes should meet a high bar. In this case, the connection between this investment and the region’s economic strength is clear.
Modernizing aging facilities, advancing sustainable infrastructure, strengthening workforce training for emerging industries, and expanding healthcare workforce capacity are all directly tied to long-term economic competitiveness. Maintaining 4CD’s ability to deliver on these outcomes is essential to sustaining its impact on the regional economy and quality of life.
The East Bay Leadership Council is a regional employer-led organization with a nearly 90-year history of advancing policies that strengthen the economy and improve quality of life in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.