A group of Santa Clara County residents is suing to block a sales tax measure from appearing on the November ballot, alleging the Board of Supervisors violated the state constitution by improperly declared an emergency to rush it to the voters during a special election.

At an Aug. 7 meeting, the board voted unanimously to ask voters this fall to approve a five-eighths-of-a-cent sales tax increase. The local sales tax rate is currently 9.125% countywide, though that number is slightly higher in Campbell, Los Gatos, Milpitas and San Jose as the cities have passed their own tax increases. The sales tax, which would sunset after five years, is expected to generate $330 million annually — the county is hoping it will help plug part of the massive federal funding gap caused by cuts made in Pres

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