Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe has just announced that he will change his vote on a transit sales tax that will raise funds to improve transportation from a “No” to a “Yes” at the next Supervisors meeting.  Knabe was one of three Supervisors to vote No on the issue just days ago, shooting down the proposal by a 3-2 count.  With his vote changing to “Yes,” the issue will seemingly be placed on the November ballot for voters to decide.

Knabe insists that he remains opposed to the measure, but with the threat of lawsuits aiming to place the issue on a second ballot that would cost taxpayers as much as $10 million, he reconsidered.

“Although I am against the sales tax plan, I cannot in good conscience burden County residents with over $10 million in higher election costs,” Knabe is quoted in the release.  “The taxpayers will have to pay for these costs, and that is something I will not allow to happen. Additionally, the separate ballots, voter guides, and other resources needed to conduct a separate election on the same day as the Presidential Election could cause unnecessary confusion and challenges for voters. This upcoming election is the most important in many years, and voters deserve better than a potential disaster at their polling place.”

Disclosure: lbpost.com co-founder Shaun Lumachi is under contract with the Office of Supervisor Don Knabe.

By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor