Santa Monica, California, Sales Tax, Measure GSH (November 2016)
| Measure GSH: Santa Monica Sales Tax |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Approved
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| Topic: |
| Local sales tax Expires in: Never |
| Related articles |
| Local sales tax on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Los Angeles County, California ballot measures City tax on the ballot |
| See also |
| Santa Monica, California |
A sales tax measure was on the ballot for Santa Monica voters in Los Angeles County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of authorizing the city to impose an additional 0.5 percent sales tax with revenue deposited into the city's general fund. |
| A no vote was a vote against authorizing the city to impose an additional 0.5 percent sales tax with revenue deposited into the city's general fund. |
Election results
| Measure GSH | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 26,190 | 62.35% | ||
| No | 15,812 | 37.65% | ||
- Election results from Los Angeles County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
MEASURE GSH: To maintain and improve Santa Monica community services including support for preservation of affordable housing, reducing homelessness, school repair and improvement, education of Santa Monica children and students, and other general fund services, shall an ordinance be adopted to increase by one-half percent Santa Monica’s transactions and use tax, subject to independent annual audits, all funds used locally, no money going to Sacramento, raising approximately $16 million annually, until ended by the voters?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Santa Monica City Attorney:
| “ |
BALLOT MEASURE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCREASE THE TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX BY AN ADDITIONAL ONE-HALF PERCENT OF THE SALE PRICE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY This measure proposes to raise local City of Santa Monica revenues by amending the Municipal Code to increase the City’s transactions and use tax by an additional 0.50%, from 0.50% to 1%, of the sales price of personal property. This kind of tax is generally called a “sales” tax. However, it is a legally different tax that is collected along with sales taxes and administered by the State Board of Equalization. However, all revenues generated would be paid into the City’s general fund, and none would go to the state. The increase in the City’s transactions and use tax would only apply to goods and services that are subject to the existing tax. Items exempt from the City’s transactions and use tax include, among other things, purchases of prescription medications and food store items. These would not be taxed. It is anticipated that the tax increase would raise approximately $16 Million annually. It would remain in effect until the voters decide to repeal or amend it. The City Council voted by more than a two-thirds majority to approve the proposed increase to the existing transactions and use tax; but the tax increase can only go into effect if it is also approved by a majority of voters at the November 2016 election. The current transactions and use tax was approved by Santa Monica voters in 2010. If the measure is passed by the voters, the services and programs that potentially could receive funding include, but are not limited to: education, afterschool programs, affordable housing, police, fire, paramedic and emergency 911 response, public transit, environmental and library services. Accompanying the transactions and use tax measure is a non-binding advisory measure, asking voters for their preference on how the additional revenue should be used if the voters approve the measure. In particular, voters are asked whether, if the measure passes, their preference is for half of the additional revenues to be used to improve and maintain public schools, with remaining half to improve and maintain affordable housing, protect residents from displacement and reduce homelessness. If the transactions and use tax increase passes, the City Council may be guided by the voter’s decision on the advisory question in deciding how to use the revenue. However, the City Council is not legally bound by the outcome of the vote on the advisory question. The City Council can use the revenue collected as a result of the measure for any lawful City purpose. The City Council placed this measure on the ballot. [2] |
” |
| —Santa Monica 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]
- Sarah Braff, President, Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association
- Michael Soloff, Chair, Santa Monica Housing Commission
- Jennifer Smith, President, Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
- Patricia Hoffman, Co-chair, Santa Monicans for Renters Rights
- Barry Seid, District Coordinator, AARP
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[4]
| “ |
Measure GSH will bring critically needed resources to protect renters, seniors andworking families from losing their homes and help keep our excellent schools strongand able to serve our community for years to come. Every penny from Measure GSH will stay in Santa Monica and cannot be taken away by Sacramento. Voting Yes on GSH is a vote to maintain and protect the quality of our local schools while also ensuring that rent burdened residents, often seniors, are able to age in place and providing local workers with homes near jobs, reducing local traffic. Santa Monica had a proven, effective affordable housing program in place until Sacramento raided city budgets. Measure GSH will help offset those funding cuts and fund programs to provide stability for long-term residents. Santa Monica has great schools, but State funding is unreliable and doesn’t provide adequate funds to maintain them. Passage of Measure GSH will help our local schools attract high quality teachers, assist at-risk students, improve instruction in the arts, music, math, and science, and provide ongoing maintenance at our schools, reducing the cost of expensive repairs. In addition, half of the funds from Measure GSH will be used for preserving existing buildings as affordable housing for current and future tenants, and for providing rental assistance and other affordable housing opportunities to low-income families and seniors. Measure GSH is a half-cent sales tax -- paid largely by tourists and visitors -- to generate critically needed funds for City services, especially for our schools and for programs to keep low income rent-burdened Santa Monicans in their homes. Measure GSH is supported by parents, grandparents, elected officials, civic leaders, and local business leaders who know that high-quality schools and a stable and diverse community are important. Please vote Yes on Measure GSH.[2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[4]
- Roberto Rodriguez, Santa Monica Renter
- Roberto Rodriguez, Santa Monica Renter
- Clara Benrey, Retired School Teacher
- Donald Gray, Former Chair, Pico Neighborhood Assn.
- Scott Kelso, Union Member
- Robert Kronovet, Former Rent Board Commissioner
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[4]
| “ |
Vote NO on tax increase measure GSH Do you want MORE development in Santa Monica? Do you want to GIVE DEVELOPERS YOUR MONEY to over build our city? 1. This is a sales tax slated to fuel and accelerate even more high density, multi-floor development. 2. This tax does not expire and thus insures development given extra height and density will continue forever, burdening infrastructure (exacerbating water and traffic problems), eroding quality of life and overcrowding schools. 3. You will have no say where these large, high-density projects will be built. The city has removed your right to review or protest all development funded by this tax. 4. New federal guidelines insure that projects must be placed in all areas of the city. Even Sunset Park and north of Montana will experience high-density development. All residential and all commercial property will be targeted for these large buildings that exceed normal zoning rules and are allowed reduced parking. 5. This tax amount is exorbitant and is a regressive tax on lower income residents. It will lead to higher housing costs, higher rents, and higher prices for nearly everything you buy. 6. This is yet another local increase to a sales tax voters approved in 2010. With additional County increases on this ballot; you will pay 10.5% - 11% on all purchases! Measure GSH funds more development with your money. Vote NO and save our city![2] |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Santa Monica, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Santa Monica Local sales tax. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, "Measures Appearing on the Ballot," accessed November 1, 2016
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Los Angeles County Elections, "Santa Monica Sample Ballot: 2016 General Election," November 5, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Voter's Edge, "Los Angeles County Ballot Measures: Measure GSH," accessed November 5, 2016
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