How Cherriots got its plan to expand services with proposed payroll tax

Leaders of Salem’s transit agency for years crafted plans to expand local bus service as the region’s population grew, even as bus ridership is about flat from a decade ago.

Those efforts drove the Salem Area Mass Transit District’s board to consider imposing a tax on businesses which has drawn significant pushback from business groups, the Keizer City Council and others.

Cherriots can impose a tax without a public vote under a state law passed…