“Vintage Filing Taxes Ver1” by Chris Potter, CC BY 2.0
Following critiques from Rishi Kumar and Dawn Davis, HJTA VP Susan Shelley says “there’s no such thing as a temporary tax in California.” SCC GOP Chair Dave Johnson agrees, noting the rapid special election means residents “won’t even know what hit them.” An Opp Now exclusive Q&A.
Opportunity Now: Do you think voters have enough time to learn about this sales tax hike before having to decide on it?
Dave Johnson: The election is on November 4, but ballots already go out on October 6. Many people won’t even know what hit them.
ON: But isn’t Measure A necessary to keep Santa Clara County’s health system from collapsing?
DJ: Measure A raises $330 million a year, for five years. They say it’s to cover $330 million in federal cuts, but Santa Clara’s health spending has already doubled to over 50% of the county budget. This isn’t a revenue problem. It’s a spending problem. The population in the county is flat or slightly below pre-pandemic levels, so why do they need so much more money?
ON: What are people in Santa Clara County saying about Measure A?
DJ: I’m wearing T-shirts that say no on Measure A at the farmers markets, and I’m having very spirited conversations with people. They ask where I get my information. I tell them, the county website. A car buyer in Campbell will pay $250 more in sales tax. Businesses will lose customers to nearby counties. Small businesses are already walking away.
ON: Measure A is supposed to be a temporary five-year tax to raise $330 million per year. But County Assessor candidate Rishi Kumar projects the county’s public health system will have a $3 billion yearly shortfall by 2030. Do either of you believe the Measure A sales tax will be temporary?
Susan Shelley: No.
DJ: No.
SS: There’s no such thing as a temporary tax in California. When it’s set to expire, they call it a renewal. It’s framed as ‘not a tax increase’ because the tax rate won’t go up. It’s just stopped from going down. Voters never get the tax cut they were promised.