Measure H proposes a half-cent "self-help" sales tax for repair and maintenance of local streets and roads; improvements to the Jamieson Canyon corridor, including widening and a center median barrier from Highway 29 to I-80; and safer routes to school and improved transit options. Napa Citizens for Safety and Congestion Relief - Yes on Measure H has compiled this list of answers to common questions.

* Doesn't the gas tax fund transportation?

When you buy a gallon of gas you pay 36.4 cents in excise taxes. (In fact, it's not a tax by definition; it's a fee per gallon, so it stays the same when the gas price goes up.) Of that money, 18.4 cents goes to the federal government, and 18 cents goes to the state. About a third of the state's share, or six cents, makes its way back to the cities and counties. Unfortunately, the local share of gas tax money does not buy as much today as it used to. That's because inflation has reduced the buying power of those funds, while the raw costs of materials has gone through the roof. The cost of asphalt, which is made with petroleum products, has skyrocketed. In 1998, a ton of asphalt could be bought locally for around $24. Today the price is well over $50 and rising. The overall costs of construction contracts, including wages, worker's compensation and other costs have risen by leaps and bounds, but the amount collected on a gallon of gas has remained exactly the same. Yes, the gas tax funds transportation, but the amount generated is not enough for our needs.

* A gallon of gas is over $3. Isn't there a lot of gas tax money available?

The increase in the price of gas does mean more sales tax is collected. The so-called "gas tax" (fee per gallon) does not rise with the price of gas. You may have heard talk of a windfall to government from this sales tax, but about two-thirds of the sales tax revenue goes to the state general fund. Once the state has collected it, they decide where to spend it. There is a portion of the sales tax that is actually the sales tax on the fee per gallon. This is the small amount that has been dedicated to transportation in Proposition 42, but the state has kept most of this for general fund uses for the last few years. If this money is re-dedicated to transportation projects, Napa County needs to have self-help funds ready to match the state money -- that's how projects are getting built today.

* Opponents say Measure H would make our sales tax too high.

If Measure H passes, Napa County's sales tax will become 8.25 percent. Five of the nine Bay Area counties already have sales tax rates of 8.25 percent or more. All four of the remaining counties are asking voters to approve an increase in their sales tax. Seven of nine Bay Area Counties already have a self-help transportation tax, and the other two (Napa and Solano) are asking the voters to approve a self-help tax. Some have said a higher sales tax will cause Napa residents to go out of county to buy a big-ticket item like a car. Actually, sales tax on vehicles goes to the county of registration, not the county where it is bought.

* Widening Jamieson Canyon won't reduce congestion unless there are improvements to the 680-80 interchange.

That is true. Fortunately, 680-80 improvements have already begun. The addition of auxiliary lanes on eastbound 80 was completed in 2004. Further design and construction work on a new interchange is scheduled to begin in 2007. This is a high-priority project for Caltrans in our area.

* Some people say those who live Upvalley shouldn't have to pay for highway projects in the south county.

It's true that the demand on highways has increased in the south county, and that demand is expected to grow. But those who live Upvalley should agree that it's better that necessary residential and industrial growth has been focused away from the Ag Preserve. Napa County is required to provide a certain amount of housing, and the south county has absorbed much of that growth. It's also important to remember that our local products -- including wine, of course -- travel by truck through these congested areas, and supplies we need arrive the same way. In addition to added safety, highway improvements can cut the cost of business by reducing delays.

More information on Measure H can be found at www.yeasonmeasureh.org. If you have a question that is not answered by this fact sheet or on the Web site, call 252-4950.

(Terry is a member of the Yes on Measure H committee.)