Labor & Business Support Measure B: For A Healthy Workforce And A Strong Economy
With major cuts looming, business & labor leaders urge voters to pass Measure B to protect the region’s workforce and economy
Press Release
Contra Costa County, Calif., April 28, 2026 – As a result of major federal funding and eligibility cuts, more than 90,000 Contra Costa residents could lose access to healthcare, a disruption that business and labor leaders warn would have far-reaching consequences for the region’s workforce and economy.
In response, leaders across Contra Costa County are calling on voters to pass Measure B during the June Primary, which would establish a temporary, five-year 0.625% sales tax to help stabilize the county’s healthcare system and essential services.
For employers, the connection between healthcare and economic performance is clear.
“A strong economy depends on a healthy community,” said Mark Orcutt, President & CEO of the East Bay Leadership Council, a policy advocacy organization representing hundreds of employers across Contra Costa County. “If people can’t get care, they miss work, businesses lose productivity, and costs escalate fast. That’s a hit our local economy can’t afford.”
Healthcare is one of Contra Costa’s largest industries, supporting thousands of jobs and serving as a crucial economic engine. The county stresses that financial instability in Contra Costa’s healthcare system could have sweeping consequences, with deficits projected to reach $1 billion by 2031.
Labor leaders emphasize the devastation this could have on the workforce.
"These cuts would hit working families first and hardest,” said Stacie Hinton, president of the Contra Costa Labor Council and AFSCME 2700. “Our members rely on accessible, affordable healthcare to stay on the job and support their families. If the system destabilizes, it won’t just impact individuals—it will ripple across every industry in Contra Costa County.”
Without action, more residents will be forced to rely on emergency care instead of preventive services, worsening health outcomes and straining the entire system. This shift will be felt across the community, from immigrant families already facing barriers to care, to low- and middle-income households, workers, and residents who rely on the county’s hospital system.
Measure B is designed as a time-limited solution that would generate approximately $150 million annually to help the county navigate a period of federal uncertainty while protecting access to care, community health, and economic stability.
“We can’t afford to wait until the system breaks,” said Stacie Hinton. “Measure B gives us a bridge through uncertainty—protecting jobs, safeguarding care, and preserving the economic stability our communities depend on. This is about investing in the health and resilience of our entire county.”
More information at: www.safeandhealthycontracosta.com
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Join #TeamEBLC
If your company is not a member of the East Bay Leadership Council, we hope you will consider joining us. Learn more about our work and the benefits of membership at www.eastbayleadershipcouncil.com
Join #TeamEBLC
If your company is not a member of the East Bay Leadership Council, we hope you will consider joining us. Learn more about our work and the benefits of membership at www.eastbayleadershipcouncil.com