Rebuttal to argument for Measure B
DON’T BE FOOLED AGAIN!
Measure B provides NO PLAN and NO GUARANTEE that the anticipated $2.3 million the County Board of Supervisors and Administrative Officer hope to rake in, claiming to “continue funding essential public services”, would actually be used to fund any of the issues claimed.
Here is the language they used to trick voters in 2018 with Measure G, and is nearly identical to what Measure B supposedly would fund:
“To continue funding 9-1-1 emergency response, paramedic, sheriff, fire, emergency preparedness, local street repairs, mental health services, homelessness programs, parks, economic development and other general county services”
To date, ZERO DOLLARS have funded fire agencies or road repairs, with nearly 75% of last year’s money ($7.8 million) simply going into the General Fund for salaries. See for yourself:
https://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/AuditorBudget/2021-2022/Measure_G_Financial_Summary.pdf.
What has the County done to date with the annual Transient Occupancy Tax revenues to address the issues Measure B claims would get fixed? Last year, the TOT revenue brought in $10.3 million…how has that been spent?
Measure B unfairly taxes Mom-and-Pop private property owners at a higher rate than large hotel corporations.
Public oversight? None. Taxpayers have to wade through 500+-page Budget Reports to search for hints of an answer.
Simply put, the County Board of Supervisors and Administrative Officer have overspent County funds, and now need another bail-out.
Measure B makes the same empty claims as those used to trick voters in 2018 to pass a countywide half-cent sales tax.
Enough is enough. Don’t be tricked again. Hold these County leaders accountable for their reckless overspending.
VOTE “NO” ON MEASURE B.
/s/ Becky Steinbruner, concerned citizen
If an asterisk (*) appears after a name, it means the person is signing on behalf of that agency/organization.
If no asterisk (*) appears after a name, it means the person is signing as an individual.