VOTER’S INFORMATION PAMPHLET
MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS
(whichever is applicable to your ballot)
Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE U

Homeless Shelter and Services

The quality of life in Santa Cruz depends on providing a safe environment for children. A Yes vote for Measure U will provide money to protect the most vulnerable children, those whose families are temporarily homeless.

Measure U will increase the Transient Occupancy Tax paid by tourists for rooms in local hotels and motels. The money will let Santa Cruz finally establish a year-round shelter serving the truly needy.

Families become homeless for many different reasons: job loss, high rent, or just plain mistakes by parents in crisis. Whatever the reason, their children are certainly the innocent victims of circumstances beyond their own control.

What can we do? Vote Yes on Measure U to provide a special shelter dedicated to families with children. Instead of mattresses on the floor in a room full of strangers, a family shelter will have the warmth, safety, and privacy a family with young children needs.

Will this really help? Santa Cruz can't solve homelessness on our own. But Measure U will allow our community to be compassionate without being wasteful. Measure U will put money right where it will help most. Services and shelter for families. The opportunity to bounce back and make a healthy future for innocent children. A chance for parents to protect their children with dignity and self-respect.

Will this hurt the local tourist industry? No. The increase in the hotel/motel room tax would increase the cost of a night's stay in Santa Cruz by one or two dollars. In our booming economy this painless increase wouldn't affect anyone's travel plans. Let's ask our visitors to make a small contribution toward breaking the cycle of homelessness in Santa Cruz.

Help families in crisis get back on their feet. Vote Yes on Measure U.

s/ George Ow, Jr.
Businessman

s/ Geoffrey Dunn
Author/Activist

s/ Rowland K. Rebele
Consultant/Newspapers

s/ Neal Coonerty
Business Owner

s/ Maynard Manson
Housing Developer

 

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE U

A SHELTER FACILITY for families with children IS NOT ASSURED if this measure passes. Don't be fooled by seemingly good intentions. Read the measure and you will find:
  • Measure U mandates spending for homeless SERVICES, NOT for a shelter FACILITY.
  • Funds will go to general homeless services WITH NO GUARANTEE that any of the funds would actually go TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN.
Measure U permits REDUCED general fund SPENDING on existing homeless services.
  • The city council could LEGALLY REDUCE OR ELIMINATE current spending for HOMELESS SERVICES in order to fund one of its pet projects.
A 12% TAX WILL HURT SMALL BUSINESSES AND THOUSANDS OF EMPLOYEES who make up the hospitality industry.
  • The city council hastily placed this measure on the ballot without conducting even one economic impact study. Moreover, the council ignored research by the American Economic Group that confirmed increases in TOT could actually reduce city revenues and thus some services for its residents.
  • This measure makes Santa Cruz non-competitive for valued overnight visitors. The nearby cities of MONTEREY AND SAN JOSE with expensive convention centers and airport facilities DO NOT TAX THEIR OVERNIGHT VISITORS 12%.
IS THIS THE RIGHT APPROACH?
  • HOMELESS SERVICES is an entire community concern, NOT A TOURIST TAXING MATTER.
  • WE OUGHT TO FOCUS RESOURCES TOWARD AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND LESS TRAFFIC CONGESTION for all who live and work here.
  • Don't be fooled by EMPTY PROMISES.

VOTE NO on MEASURE U.

s/ Ted Burke, Local Restaurateur
Commissioner, California Travel and Tourism Commission

s/ Robert Barandas, Non-Profit Marketing Director
Seabright Resident

s/ Matt Twisselman, President, Beach Area Business Association; Owner, Twisselman Enterprises

s/ Michael Schmidt, Member, Santa Cruz Homeless Working Group

s/ Karen Darling, Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
Vice President, Santa Cruz Lodging Association

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