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A half-cent vote is coming
Los Angeles County voters will decide in June 2026 whether to approve a new Los Angeles County sales tax increase to fund health care. Supporters say it is a backstop as state and federal support tighten for safety net services. You will feel it most in everyday checkout totals.
This Los Angeles County measure adds 0.5% to taxable purchases like meals out and many retail items. County officials say it could help keep clinics and hospitals running without deep cuts. Opponents say it raises costs for families first.
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What “half a cent” means
A half-cent sales tax is 50 cents per $100 on taxable spending. It is small on one receipt, but it stacks up across groceries, errands, and weekends out. The biggest hit shows up when you are already buying a lot in one trip.
Think about back-to-school supplies, a family dinner, or a new phone. The tax is added at checkout, so prices look the same until the final total. That is why people notice it fast, even when it sounds tiny.
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The county says health care is at risk
Los Angeles County leaders say the public health system is facing reductions tied to changing state and federal funding. The message is that service cuts would be felt countywide, not just by one group. That is why they want a dedicated stream of money…