Whittier, California, Measure W, Sales Tax (March 2020)

Whittier Measure W
Election date March 3, 2020
Topic Local sales tax
Status a Approved
Type Referral	Origin Lawmakers
List of California measuresCalifornia Proposition 13 (March)California Proposition 14California Proposition 15California Proposition 16California Proposition 17California Proposition 18California Proposition 19California Proposition 20California Proposition 21California Proposition 22California Proposition 23California Proposition 24California Proposition 25Submit

A sales tax measure was on the ballot for Whittier voters in Los Angeles County, California, on March 3, 2020. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported authorizing an additional 0.75% sales tax, thereby increasing the total sales tax rate in the city to 10.25% and generating an estimated $6.375 million in annual general fund revenue.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing an additional 0.75% sales tax, thereby keeping the total tax rate in the city at 9.5%.

A simple majority was required for the approval of Measure W.

Election results

Whittier Measure W
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		12,048	57.22%
No		9,007	42.78%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot question

The ballot question was as follows:

“

To provide the City of Whittier with funding available to hire/retain police officers to reduce crime/gangs/drugs/graffiti; reduce 911 response times; address homelessness; increase neighborhood/park/business patrols; maintain streets, sidewalks, parks, senior services, afterschool programs, and provide general services shall the measure establishing a threequarter cent sales tax be adopted, providing approximately $6,375,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring independent audits, all funds locally controlled?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Whittier City Attorney:

“ Measure W is an ordinance authorizing the City of Whittier to levy a three-quarter cent (0.75%) transactions and use tax. This type of tax, commonly referred to as a "local sales tax," is collected along with other state and local sales and use taxes. A three-quarter cent tax on a $100.00 taxable purchase is, for example, seventy-five cents. The combined rate of all state and local sales taxes applicable to taxable sales in the City of Whittier is currently 9.5%. Of this 9.5%, only a 1.0% sales tax, known as the Bradley-Burns Tax, is imposed by the City of Whittier. The remaining taxes are imposed by the state or by the county or its agencies. The proposed new tax would increase the combined tax rate to 10.25%. Purchases in Whittier that are exempt from the statewide sales tax would also be exempt from the proposed new tax. For example, most groceries, prescription drugs and purchases of services would be exempt from taxation. The primary difference between a transactions and use tax and a sales and use tax is that the transactions tax on the sale of a motor vehicle within California applies based on the location where the motor vehicle will be registered, not on the location where the sale occurs. Thus, someone who purchases a car or other motor vehicle from a dealer anywhere in the state would pay the city's tax if they will be registering the vehicle in Whittier, while a person who purchases a vehicle in Whittier for registration at a California location outside of the city would not pay the tax The tax would be administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Proceeds of the tax, less administration costs, would be deposited to the city's general fund, controlled by the City Council of the City of Whittier (not the state), and available for any lawful governmental purpose. Examples of permissible uses, as identified by the City Council, are hiring and retaining police officers to reduce crime, gang activity, drug crimes and graffiti; reducing 911 response times; addressing homelessness; increasing neighborhood, park and business patrols; maintaining streets, sidewalks, parks, senior services, afterschool programs, and providing general services. This tax would remain in effect until terminated by the voters. It is anticipated that this tax will initially generate approximately $6,375,000 in revenue annually for the city's general fund. The proceeds of the tax would be included in the annual audit of the City's financial operations by an independent certified public accountant. This measure was placed on the ballot by the City Council of the City of Whittier. A YES vote approves the measure and authorizes the proposed tax. A NO vote rejects the measure and the proposed tax. ”

Full text

The full text of the measure is available here.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in California

This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the Whittier City Council.

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2020
• Local sales tax on the ballot
• City tax on the ballot
• Los Angeles County measures

California

• March 3, 2020 measures in California
• Local ballot measures, California
• Whittier, California

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic
• Los Angeles County Elections Office website