League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	San Mateo County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Measure Q Commercial Parking Facilities County of San Mateo Majority Approval Required Fail: 120,709 / 47.4% Yes votes ...... 134,078 / 52.6% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure Q

Arguments Against Measure Q

The County of San Mateo provides community and safety net services such as law enforcement, medical services and human services to 756,000 residents, and delivers many programs promised to you by the State. Unfortunately the burden of providing these programs and services is expanding dramatically, while funding for these purposes continues to be significantly cut by the State. As a result, the County is projecting a structural deficit of $92.1 million by year 2013, an unsustainable gap that must be closed. The County has taken action to reduce the deficit through measured yet significant cuts to its own budget, but simultaneously the State has made continually more dramatic reductions in reimbursements for services it mandates. We must find new ways to raiserevenues while continuing to pursue cost-cutting opportunities. One way to help close the budget gap is the measure before you, an eight percent (8%)business license tax on gross receipts of operators of commercial parking in the unincorporated County area. This measure would raise roughly $4 million without significantly impacting the pocketbooks of County residents. The cities of South San Francisco and San Bruno each impose very similar business license taxes on commercial parking operators at a rate of eight percent (8%), while the city of Millbrae imposes a business license tax on commercial parking operators at a rate of 10%. This proposal is a necessary part of a strategy that will see the County of San Mateo close its budget deficit in a balanced and fair manner. By voting YES for this measure you are helping to ensure that the County will remain an enjoyable and prosperous place in which to live for many years to come. Rebuttal to Arguments For The proponents claim "significant cuts" in the County budget. Really? General Fund Total Revenue Net Salaries/ Appropriations Benefits 2005-06 $871,564,747 $804,843,625 $409,078,637 2006-07 907,529,713 916,506,533 453,420,692 2007-08 907,384,495 986,626,256 513,204,904 2008-09* 948,722,939 1,000,854,687 534,531,790 increase/ 3% 8% 9% year The problem is not revenue: it's spending. A fifth grader could see that. No tax can keep up with this kind of spending. Measures Q and R are general taxes. The money can be spent on anything, and voters have no reason to believe that increased revenue would curb the County's spending. More taxes will make things worse + not better + if they encourage San Mateo County to put off necessary reforms. Measure Q, a whopping 8% parking tax, is "only" $4 million out of our pockets. Measure R, the car rental company gross receipts tax, is huge + as a percentage of revenue, Avis/Budget made just 1.6% net income before taxes last quarter; and the County wants 2.5%? That's outrageous! These taxes will cause unemployment and raise the cost of living even higher, pushing the County's budget failure onto the backs of already hard-pressed citizens. Proponents assert this will somehow ensure San Mateo County remains "enjoyable and prosperous". That's just silly. Reject these hastily approved and ill-conceived taxes. Tell the County to get its spending under control. NOW! And VOTE NO on Measures Q and R ! budgeted

Record mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures. Soaring food and energy (especially gas) prices. Increased unemployment. Californians are taking a beating, and San Mateo County voters know it. Families are tightening their belts, staying home more, and doing without. There is talk of possible state-wide tax increases to come. These hard times are far from over. What is San Mateo County's proposed answer to this? More tax increases + over $11 Million this time! That is the estimated total take of Measure Q, the 8% parking lot tax, and Measure R, the 2.5% auto rental tax. We'll pay more for airport parking and rental cars, if these taxes pass. Even restaurant valet and paid hotel parking will be taxed, in unincorporated areas. The cost of living is already a huge problem in San Mateo County. Raising it further with new taxes will hurt us all. Measures Q and R are on the ballot because San Mateo County cannot control its spending on employee salaries and benefits. General fund salaries/benefits spending increased 30% in just 3 years ($409 million in 2005-06, to $535 million in 2008-09)! * More taxes on hard-pressed families here WON'T SOLVE this problem. No tax can keep up with that kind of spending! San Mateo County must budget and spend responsibly, before placing more burdens on its citizens! Vote NO on unnecessary taxes in tough times! VOTE NO ON MEASURES Q and R ! http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/bos.dir/budget/recommend2008/recommendedbudget2008-10.pdf Rebuttal to Arguments Against Don't Be Misled + Measure Q does not tax the consumer Measure Q imposes a business license tax on operators of commercial parking facilities in unincorporated San Mateo County. Measure Q simply requires an industry that benefits from serving a largely out-of-county population to pay its "fair share" of the burden of supporting local government. Government works only when all citizens bear their "fair share" of the costs of government services. Commercial parking facilities attract traffic, increase road maintenance costs, and require police and fire services. All of these impacts put a strain on the county budget. The County Has Reduced Costs Measure Q supplements an aggressive cost-cutting program undertaken by the county. In the FY 2008-09 budget, the county slashed expenses by $25 million and imposed a hiring freeze. Because of careful planning, the county budget grew less than 2% over the past year, far less than that of neighboring counties. Vote YES on MEASURE Q Any economic downturn significantly impacts the county's ability to provide services when they are most critically needed, as revenues decline and the demand for safety net programs increases. Proceeds from Measure Q will be used for basic services such as health care, public safety and parks. Proceeds will also be used to protect our most vulnerable populations-- children, seniors and the disabled. Please support Measure Q to ensure San Mateo County remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.