MEASURE P

Many people ask me if I supported Measure P. I voted against it, as did 1/3 of the voters who submitted a ballot on it. In reviewing the city budget, I saw too many unnecessary expenditures in the budget, like the golf courses and the new train station. I ask you this:

If measure P was marketed as “Save our golf courses!”, would you support it?

If measure P was marketed with “We need another train station!”, would you support it?

Meanwhile, the city threatened services like police and fire would be cut if we didn’t pass the tax increase. To me, it felt as if they were holding public safety hostage. Yet, all money raised from this ‘temporary’ tax increase is funneled to the general fund, where there are no guarantees the money will go to projects and departments we the people want.

Originally marketed to save police and fire from cutbacks, the city now has hired new personnel and started new projects. An organization should never undertake long term projects with short term funding sources. All budgetary indicators show that Measure P will not be left alone as a ‘temporary’ tax increase, and not allowed to expire.

Why is this important? Measure P will expire during the term of the 2 councilmembers elected this year. As it will expire during the next 4 years, the sitting council will have to decide whether to submit an extension to the voters.

While we still are subsidizing non-vital projects (like golf courses), there is no way I would support a general tax increase.