Voters Split on Business Taxes

San Mateo County voters appear to have split on three business-related taxes, and a handful of school parcel tax and bond measures showed narrow support in Tuesday's primary.

According to preliminary results, voters appear to have defeated a proposed increase in the transient occupancy tax and a new tax on commercial parking facilities, while a business license tax on car rental businesses was still too close to call.

Measure U, which would have raised the transient occupancy tax by 2 percent, to 12 percent, was opposed by 53.5 percent of voters, according to semi-official results.

Measure X, a business license tax on parking facilities in unincorporated areas, also appears to have failed, with 53.1 percent of voters casting "no" votes.

Measure T, which proposes a 2.5 percent business tax on car rental businesses, had just over 50 percent support and was too close to call. All three measures require majority approval.

--Bay City News