Coalinga, California, Marijuana Facility Tax, Measure E (November 2016)
| Measure E: Coalinga Marijuana Facility Tax Measure |
|---|
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| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Approved
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| Topic: |
| Local marijuana tax |
| Related articles |
| Local marijuana tax on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Fresno County, California ballot measures Local business tax on the ballot |
| See also |
| Coalinga, California |
A measure to tax commercial marijuana operations was on the ballot for Coalinga voters in Fresno County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of establishing an annual tax of 25 dollars per square foot for the first 3,000 square feet and 10 dollars per square for the remaining space for marijuana commercial operation spaces. |
| A no vote was a vote against establishing an annual tax of 25 dollars per square foot for the first 3,000 square feet and 10 dollars per square for the remaining space for marijuana commercial operation spaces. |
Election results
| Measure E | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 1,903 | 61.49% | ||
| No | 1,192 | 38.51% | ||
- Election results from Fresno County election results
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
SHALL THE CITY OF COALINGA IMPLEMENT AN ANNUAL TAX OF TWENTY-FIVE ($25.00) PER SQUARE FOOT FOR THE FIRST 3,000 SQUARE FEET AND THEN TEN DOLLARS ($10.00) PER SQUARE FOOT FOR THE REMAINING SPACE UTILIZED IN CONNECTION WITH EACH COMMERCIAL MARIJUANA OPERATION, AS SET FORTH IN ORDINANCE NO. 789?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Coalinga City Attorney:
| “ |
This measure was placed on the ballot by the City Council of the City of Coalinga. This measure, if approved, would impose a tax on commercial marijuana operations wherein every person engaged in commercial marijuana operations in the City shall pay an annual tax as follows: twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per square foot used in connection with each operation for the first three thousand (3,000) square feet of space, and ten dollars ($10.00) per square foot for each additional square foot thereafter. The purpose of this tax is to raise revenue to fund general municipal services. The City of Coalinga has an overall deficit that exceeds $3,000,000.00. Payment of the tax shall solely be the responsibility of the person or entity authorized to legally perform commercial marijuana operations in the City of Coalinga. A "yes" vote on this measure is a vote to approve the tax. A "no" vote is a vote to reject the tax. This tax will take effect immediately upon approval by a majority of the voters. If a majority of the voters do not adopt this tax, commercial marijuana operations may still open in the City, regardless, without having to pay a revenue to the City. [2] |
” |
| —Coalinga City Attorney[3] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[4]
- Marissa Trejo, City Manager, City of Coalinga
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[5]
| “ |
Measure is an annual tax of $25.00 per square foot for the first 3,000 square feet 64 and then $10.00 per square foot thereafter imposed on all commercial marijuana operations in the City of Coalinga. The City Council of the City of Coalinga previously voted to allow commercial marijuana operations in the City. The tax will help fund basic City services such as public safety. The City has a current deficit that exceeds $3,000,000.00. The City is operating under a "bare bones" budget to continue City operations through the current fiscal year. The City's need for additional revenue is immediate and will become ever more pressing during this fiscal year and next fiscal year. If a tax on commercial marijuana operations is not approved by the voters, commercial marijuana operations will proceed in the City of Coalinga without any financial benefit to the City. Your "yes" vote will show your support for protecting the interests, values, quality of life, and health & wellness of the residents of the City of Coalinga. [2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[6]
- Roger Campbell, Retired Superintendent Coalinga-Huron Unified School District
- Gregory J. Delano, Coalinga High School and West Hills Community College Instructor
- Margo S. Perkins, Principal Coalinga High School
- Ron Lander, Coalinga Councilman
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[7]
| “ |
The Coalinga City Council, despite strong community opposition, conspired to sell the Claremont Custody Center to a business that violates federal law. Now they want voters to condone this action. Do not be fooled, Coalinga voters should not vote to balance the budget at the expense of decaying their struggling community. Bringing in these businesses will provide lucrative life styles for a select few and the quality of life in Coalinga will suffer. Growing and distributing marijuana is against federal law. Condoning those activities locally does not change that fact. Openly permitting the sale of illegal drugs will change the family nature of the community of Coalinga. Marijuana use by youth in Fresno County is already on the rise. In a 2014/15 report there were 1,852 youths seeking treatment for drug addiction. Of these, 69% were seeking treatment for marijuana addiction. A permissive City and community attitude toward an illegal drug not only leads to increased use by youth but has negative workplace impacts. Drug use in the workplace has consequences for employers including personal safety, employee impairment and increased absenteeism. A permissive culture that makes drugs more readily available negatively impacts all families, including yours. Interestingly, there is no mention of medical need or compassion in this measure, only the need to generate money from drug trafficking and sales for the purpose of funding more government. Voters should vehemently oppose this quick-fix scheme. These out of town drug traffickers do not care about our community, but we do. Law enforcement, business leaders, and educators agree this is a bad idea. Sheriff Margaret Mims and Supervisor Buddy Mendes are opposed to this measure. Coalinga businesses, neighborhoods and children are at risk, we cannot allow drug trafficking! A NO vote is a vote against illegal drug trafficking in our City. [2] |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Coalinga, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Coalinga Local marijuana tax. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Fresno County, "City of Coalinga Annual Tax Resolution No. 3726
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Coalinga City Attorney, "City of Coalinga Annual Tax Impartial Analysis," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ Fresno County, "City of Coalinga Annual Tax Argument in Favor, accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ Fresno County, "City of Coalinga Annual Tax Argument in Favor, accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ Fresno County, "City of Coalinga Annual Tax Argument Against," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ Fresno County, "City of Coalinga Annual Tax Argument Against," accessed September 30, 2016
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