Editor’s note: The following is a letter to the editor. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Mendocino Voice. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to info@mendovoice.com.
Dear Editor:
Vote No on Measure A.
On June 6, 1978, California voters passed Prop 13, which
- Capped property taxes to 1% of assessed value,
- Limited annual property tax increases of 2%,
- Required property taxes to be reassessed to market value only when sold,
- Required all state tax increases be approved by two-thirds of the legislature and special taxes levied by local governments approved by two-thirds of voters.
Since then there have been an onslaught of challenges to Prop 13. The “Measure A Property Tax/Bond” issue is just the latest.
First and foremost, governments will always find another reason to spend more of your money. This will never cease until we say No!
Secondly, if you are a proponent of Prop 13, you would vote No on Measure A, because it runs contrary to the premise of a super majority requirement to raise your property taxes.
Thirdly, if you are an opponent to Prop 13, you would vote No on Measure A, because it grants special advantages and financial considerations for those who have owned their property for several years.
Measure A taxes property owners at unfair and unequal rates. Measure A also benefits voters who do not pay property taxes, compared to those who do.
Additionally voters should reject Measure A because it is poorly written and financially irresponsible. Measure A asks for $98 million in new property taxes in the form of a bond and promises Wall Street financiers a repayment of approximately $215 million. Over $100 million of our local cash will leave our county to line the pockets of those on Wall Street.
Currently the college district owes $103.9 million on an existing property tax/bond. Measure A doubles this indebtedness. Measure A is written as a “slush fund” allowing the Board of Trustees to decide on the fly how to best spend these new property tax/bond proceeds, whether it be for a new promenade, a landscaped roundabout, or a new Instructors’ lounge furnished with an Italian espresso maker and biscotti oven.
A more reasonable and fundamentally sound solution to Measure A is to charge a student use fee of $350 per annum.
Enough is enough. Vote No on Measure A.
Richard Rhodes
Redwood Valley
I almost always vote for public education, and Mendocino College is a unique jewel for its educational programs and other reasons here in this county. However, because there are so many existing property tax bonds in this county, and apparently the tax amount is not fixed and can increase to make up for decreases in property values as far into the future as 2060, for the first time I have voted No for a tax bond that would improve a local school that I value very much. The timing is just not right, and the finances are convoluted.
Your exaggerated references to an Italian espresso maker and biscotti oven as potential uses are a bit much, and do nothing to help your otherwise good arguments. The solution you give at the end does make sense at first glance, depending on the details and potential misuse of that money.
I agree. The Ukiah bond is already costing way more then what the original cost-out was stated in the 2020 bond.
*than*
Thank you for this! I’ve already voted in favor of prop A, and your letter confirms the correctness of my choice. Prop 13 has been an ongoing California train wreck.
Comment on Prop.13. If you own property and are paying property taxes you understand that Prop 13 is not the problem. The problem lies with poor political decision making, government overreach, over burdensome bureaucracies, special interest groups, teachers and government unions, all of which add to a future financial failure. The California State budget in 1978 was $18B, in 2000 it was $99B, in 2012 it was $143B and in 2026 it is $350B. This is not a matter of not having enough cash to spend, it’s how it’s being spent. Can I remind you of the Bullet Train Project? If you don’t like what is happening in government, stop sending the same people to govern, stop listening to the same good old boy network and attempt to understand the larger picture yourself. Regards,
New Hawaiian law limits corporate spending on politics, other states work to follow suit | KTVU FOX 2 https://share.google/eX112EJiq2Rkn7fmb
We need more of this to stop the abuse of our tax dollar. Period. I want CA to get on board.