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But now Measure A will replace it entirely, two years before the expiration date, and raise the tax rate to a half cent, which the county estimates will generate over $1 billion annually.

A coalition of large nonprofits, homeless service providers and labor unions is now backing a measure that would replace Measure H two years before it expires and raise the tax rate to a half cent per dollar.

A few areas in California still saw prices creep up Thursday, including San Bernardino County, which set a new record Thursday of $6.375 a gallon, up a half cent from Wednesday.

The biggest change was in 1857, when Congress discontinued the half cent, which was unpopular at the time.

Both cities plan to ask legislators to allow them to ask local voters whether they are willing to fund up to five local projects by raising their respective local sales taxes another half cent.