LOS ANGELES—Backers of Measure ER, a half-cent Los Angeles County sales tax to fund healthcare services, celebrated victory on June 10 after it staged a narrow come-from-behind win.
Following the June 2 election, early vote totals consistently showed the measure falling short of approval. But earlier this week, as the ballots continued to be processed, the measure picked up steam and narrowly crossed the 50 percent support needed for passage.
As of June 10, with virtually all ballots counted, the measure passed by 24,436 votes, or roughly 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent.
Measure ER, which was introduced by Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Hilda Solis in January, is called the Essential Services Restoration Act and asked voters to enact the half-cent general sales tax increase for five years, through Oct. 1, 2031….