Measure k: connecting the dots that move you

A half-cent sales tax that connects people, communities, and opportunity

We don’t think much about pennies anymore. They end up in jars, drawers, or the bottom of a bag because they’ve lost their usefulness in our debit card world.

But when you put a lot of pennies — and half-cents — together, they can do something powerful. Even transformative.

That’s the idea behind Measure K. It’s the half-cent sales tax administered by the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) that helps pay for transportation projects across San Joaquin County. When everyone chips in just a little, it adds up to big improvements — safer roads, better transit, smoother commutes, and more ways to get around.

Measure K helps turn big transportation ideas into real projects that people use every day. It connects neighborhoods, supports the local economy, and opens new opportunities for the whole region.

It also supports the work of SJCOG and its member agencies — Escalon, Lathrop, Lodi, Manteca, Mountain House, Ripon, San Joaquin County, Stockton, and Tracy — as we plan and build transportation projects together. Because transportation works best when everything is connected — sidewalks and bike paths, streets and highways, buses and trains, housing near transit — Measure K helps make sure all those pieces are connected and work as one.

Connecting the first dots

Measure K exists because voters chose to invest in transportation – not once, but twice. In 1990, county voters approved Measure K for 20 years, leading to more than $735 million in transportation improvements.

Then in 2006, about 78 percent of voters renewed Measure K for another 30 years. By 2041, Measure K is expected to provide about $2.64 billion for transportation across the county.

That funding helps improve:

• Freeways, streets, and local roads.
• Bus and rail transit.
• Bike paths and sidewalks.
• And even housing and services near transit, so people don’t have to drive as much.

Where the money goes: Dots that matter

One of the big benefits of Measure K is that it helps the county attract state and federal funding. When the region already has local money committed, outside agencies are more likely to match it, which means projects can happen sooner.

In Fiscal Year 2024–25, the SJCOG Board invested more than $101.62 million in Measure K funds — nearly $40 million more than the year before.

That funding helped:

• Reduce traffic and improve safety.
• Make walking, biking, and transit easier.
• Repair and maintain local streets and roads.

Congestion relief

One example of a Measure K congestion relief investment is the State Route 99/120 Connector project in Manteca. This project links two major highways and improves safety and traffic flow for the entire region.

Measure K helped bring in additional state and federal funding for the project, including support from Caltrans and federal transportation programs.

These improvements:

• Reduce congestion.
• Improve safety.
• Support local businesses and goods movement.
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.

More than $41.4 million in Measure K funds supported this and other congestion-reducing projects in Fiscal Year 2024-25.

Street and road maintenance

Measure K also helps pay for everyday, practical improvements — filling potholes, resurfacing roads, and adding safety features.

In 2024–25, nearly $34.68 million went directly to cities and the county to maintain local streets and roads, making travel safer, smoother, and easier for everyone.

Bicycles and pedestrians

Measure K helps people get around even when they don’t want — or can’t — drive.

In Fiscal Year 2024–25, nearly $21.32 million went to supporting bus and rail transit, as well as bike and pedestrian projects. These investments help people reach schools, jobs, health care, shopping, and other daily needs.

Stronger Together

Here at SJCOG we often say, “Stronger Together,” because that really captures how Measure K works. Cities, the county, and other public and private organizations can do more when we plan and build projects as a collaborative force.

Mountain House joined SJCOG as the county’s newest city, meaning it can now receive Measure K funds and take part in shaping the region’s transportation future. Even more of us to be Stronger Together.

Where do we go from here?

Measure K will continue funding transportation improvements for about 15 more years.

Thanks to Measure K:

• Roads and highways will stay safer and more reliable.
• Transit will keep people connected to where they need to go.
• Biking and walking will continue to be safer and more accessible.

Measure K keeps connecting the dots — helping build a safer, more connected transportation system for San Joaquin County, now and for decades to come.