League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Los Angeles County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Measure H The Carson Vital City Services Emergency Protection Measure City of Carson Sales Tax Increase - Majority Approval Required Fail: 9,890 / 41.59% Yes votes ...... 13,889 / 58.41% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure H

Arguments Against Measure H

Sacramento politicians grabbed millions from our city to bail themselves out of the state budget mess. The City of Carson has been especially hard-hit by these cuts, which totaled $3.3 million last year, and anticipates required cuts of $9 million in each of the next five years. These state raids jeopardize Carson's progress in fighting crime, gangs and drugs and threatens essential city services for our children, seniors and others in need. Already, the city has reduced staffing and service levels + including sheriff's personnel + canceled tree trimming, community events and a summer youth jobs program while increasing fees and utilizing emergency reserve funds. Without additional funds, devastating cuts must be made to essential services like 911 emergency response times, street and road repair and many programs that residents rely on everyday. We must stand up for our neighborhoods. The Carson Vital City Services Emergency Protection Measure + Measure H + will provide emergency funds to maintain: - 911 emergency response times - Youth, gang and drug prevention programs - After school park and recreation services - Street and park lighting - Pothole repair and street maintenance - Graffiti removal services - The Carson Stroke Recovery Center and Meals on Wheels for our seniors. Measure H provides the emergency funding Carson needs by raising the sales tax in our city by one percent (one penny) for five years only. It cannot be extended without another vote of the people. Measure H contains tough safeguards that ensure funds are used efficiently, effectively and as promised. Remember, Measure H is NOT a property tax. It does not apply to food purchased as groceries or prescription medicine. Visitors and residents pay one cent. Every penny stays in Carson and cannot be taken by Sacramento. Our state has failed us. Let's ensure our city doesn't. Measure H restores Carson's fiscal health. Vote YES on Measure H. EARNEST JEFFERSON Chairperson Public Safety Commission NATHANIEL RIDDICK Chairman Parks and Recreation Commission BRIAN A. RABER Economic Development Commissioner CHIEF PELE P. FALETOGO Chairman, Planning Commission Rebuttal to Arguments For Our city officials and city manager will have you believe that our financial downfall is due to Sacramento politicians. NO! Stop blaming the state. Fiscal responsibility starts at home. Redevelopment money was taken by the state. All cities were affected not just Carson. Notice the white picket fences marking property owned by Carson's Redevelopment Agency. Because of this land banking gamble, our officials have taken this property off the tax rolls causing yet another shortfall. Previous owners were paying taxes for this land, now the city receives NO property taxes. The City sold us on supporting Measure C (Utility Tax) because it would save important services. Did it? NO. These same services are still being threatened with Measure H. The adopted budget, prior to Measure C for 08/09 was $66.5 million. The adopted budget after the utility tax passed was $67.6 million. Notice the increase? The more you give, the more they spend. But, why not? It's the taxpayer's money. Fiscal responsibility is critical. Some employees are still making over $100,000, $200,000, $300,000 and we still hire consultants! Salaries and benefits increased by $5 million over the last 5 years. Community Center fees in excess of $25,000 are being waived for friends and special interests! Our reserves went from a high of $46 million and dropped to a low of $16 million in the last 10 years. STOP! Just say NO! Enough is Enough. VOTE NO on Measure H. Reformation Before More Taxation. VOTE NO...ON Measure H. RITA R. BOGGS Taxpayer/Homeowner DIANNE THOMAS President/Carson Citizens for Reform VERA ROBLES DEWITT Businesswoman/Homeowner BARBARA POST Carousel Homeowner Assoc. PATRICIA HELLERUD Retired Teacher/Homeowner

Does this sound familiar? "Vote yes on Measure C (Utility Tax) to protect Carson's families and future. Without the Utility Tax you will lose deputy sheriff's patrols, 9-1-1 emergency response, youth recreation programs, Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors, etc." The Yes vote gave an additional $6.7 million in revenues to the city of Carson beginning July 1, 2009. However, the wasteful spending by our city officials continued to increase. Are you sick and tired of higher taxes? When is enough + enough? Don't be misled by the wording of this ballot measure. Read the fine print. This is a 1% (not 1 cent) SALES TAX INCREASE from 9.75% to 10.75% for everyone. NO EXEMPTIONS. Can we continue to afford the high spending habits of our city officials? A Carson resident purchasing a $30,000.00 car will pay an extra $300.00 no matter where they buy it. This tax hurts those who can least afford it. More money to the city will only result in more spending. The City of Bell is not the only small city with overpaid officials. The Mayor and Council Members each make close to $50,000.00 a year with perks and benefits for part-time positions. Our City Manager has an annual salary of approximately $300,000.00 with all perks and benefits. Have they forgotten that we're in a recession? It's time to say enough is enough! Vote NO on Measure H. Reformation Before More Taxation. VOTE NO... ON MEASURE H. DIANNE THOMAS President/Carson Citizens for Reform BARBARA POST President Carousel Homeowners Association VERA ROBLES DEWITT Businesswoman/Homeowners RITA R. BOGGS Taxpayer, Homeowner Rebuttal to Arguments Against Measure H will restore Carson to fiscal health and keep us on the right track. As appointed commissioners, it's our duty to act as your government watchdogs. We make sure Carson is run honestly and efficiently. We've learned from our past. By holding city officials accountable, we've reduced crime and provided alternatives to gangs and drugs. We fund after-school park and recreation programs, graffiti removal services and fix our streets. But, in these hard times, we must do more. Measure H was placed on the ballot only AFTER two years of budget cuts and staffing reductions failed to keep pace with declining revenues. Measure H raises the sales tax in Carson on an emergency basis by one percent (one penny) for five years only. It cannot be extended without another vote of the people. It contains tough safeguards to ensure that all funds are used as promised. Measure H is NOT a property tax. It doesn't apply to food purchased as groceries nor prescription medicine. Every penny stays in Carson. Measure H keeps Carson on a sound economic footing. Carson isn't like Bell, with its grossly overpaid officials, nor South Gate or Compton, for that matter. Despite the usual naysayers who oppose Measure H and want to see Carson return to its old ways, we've become a can-do city that's on the right track. Remember, Measure H is an emergency measure for 5 years only. Vote to maintain 911 emergency response times and vital services. Vote Yes on Measure H. BRIAN A. RABER Economic Development Commissioner EARNEST JEFFERSON Public Safety Commission, Chairperson CHIEF LOA PELE FALETOGO Chairman, Planning Commission NATHANIEL RIDDICK Chairman Parks & Recreation Commission