Supporters of Measure S, a half-cent sales tax increase to fund a North County jail, are inappropriately pitching the proposal as a tax reduction…. “Measure S will be funded by a dedicated ½ percent sales tax beginning July 1, 2011. This new ½ percent tax will coincide with the legislated expiration of the State’s temporary one percent sales tax, for a net ½ percent reduction – from 8.75% to 8.25%.”
Their attempt to mislead voters is transparent and troubling. If Measure S-2010 is approved by a super majority of County voters, and if/when California’s temporary sales tax gets extended… Santa Barbara’s sales tax rate would jump to an astronomical 9.25% – one of the highest rates in the nation. Clearly not a reduction. When California’s temporary sales tax does expire, and if Measure S is voted down, the tax rate will drop to a more reasonable rate of 7.75%. Now that’s a reduction!
Anyone who thinks the State will let the “temporary” tax expire is either naive or stupid. Get ready for 9.25% sales tax and complete decimation of our local economy.
Um, no, the temporary tax of 1% isn’t on the ballot for renewal, it will expire this year. If Measure S is approved, the tax rate will be 8.25%, if it isn’t it will be 7.75%.
Currently Santa Barbara County’s tax rate is 8.75%.
Here is a link of the complete list of propositions that will be on the 2010 State ballot for fiscal 2011. http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/
Propositions set forth for 2010 are:
Prop 19: Legalize Marijuana for tax
Prop 20: Redistricting California Congressional districts to coincide with population changes in the last decade.
Prop 21: $18 surcharge to DMV fees to fund free park access for all californians
Prop 22:Prohibit state from pulling funds out of the Road & Transportation Fund for other purposes
Prop 23:Suspend AB32
Prop 24: Repel specific tax credit for small biz
Prop 25: 2/3 majority required for budget changes
Prop 26: 2/3 majority required for certain state-imposed and local-imposed fees
Prop 27: Eliminates Redistricting Commission
As of right now, the only local sales tax is the TA tax from 2 years ago, the 0.50% tax. The state tax is 7.25% + 1.00% minimum from each county, the local rate expires on October of this year, unless approved by voters (true for each county). Since our county only has 2 measures on the ballot, one for the jail-tax, and one for marijuana, the 1.0% temporary tax will not be extended beyond October.
Well said smurfo. Hell will freeze over before the temporary sales tax will be allowed to expire. Wasn’t there a big stink about an 8% sales tax and now its over 9. Too much to ask from too many people who are out of work.
The State budget deal is a long way from being finished, so a continuation of the State sales tax is a very real possibility as an outcome of that desperate dealmaking due to the 2/3rds legislative requirement to pass any budget.
They’re not hiding the fact that it’s a “sales tax.” It says so right on the ballot argument posted on their website: http://yesons2010.com
If I’m going to tax myself for anything it would be safety. Andy Caldwell can complain about how the Sups should have done this sooner. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to get done.
@Really? “If I’m going to tax myself for anything it would be safety.”
That’s what or government counts on. Do you think anyone would vote for it if they said this is for raises for your loyal government workers, or for funding some other absurd government folly?
After the taxes are passed the money gets whisked away and shuffled into whatever they want to use it for. That’s why they close Fire departments and put pictures of old ladies on TV that are not going to get their assistance if you don’t vote for their cause.
Cut the useless middle government management, and prosecute the ones at the top who continually misallocate funds. Then we’ll have a balanced budget.
Tried to buy a big ticket appliance this weekend and the sales tax put it in the unaffordable range . The sales guy just rounds up to 10% for the quote