Voters across San Diego County will weigh in on 11 different sales taxes this election, including one countywide measure and 10 city taxes.
There are many reasons why cities are looking to their residents to help fill their coffers, including structural budget deficits, inflation and Proposition 13, which placed severe limits on property taxes in 1978.
Part of the calculous for cities like Escondido is that California caps sales taxes at 10.25 percent. This means every time the state or county passes a new sales tax, it eats into a potential funding stream for cities, putting pressure on mayors to pass a local sales tax quickly before that happens.
Cities that are proposing new sales taxes or tax extensions include Chula Vista, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Oceanside, San Diego, San Marcos and Santee.
All voters in San Diego County may weigh in on Measure G, which is a half-cent sales tax that would raise about $350 million annually to improve transportation infrastructure, including freeways, rail lines, bike lanes, streets and more.
Yes the city needs more money especially when the city will not require development impact fees from developers. On this ballot the city is asking homeowners to pick up that tab with higher taxes.
The city also has extremely low in-lieu fees for new developments which allows developers to remove affordable housing creating more homeless for the municipal budget. This also puts an unnecessarily high burden on young people and young families.
The city is also selling property at bargain prices like the 16 cents on the dollar for the stadium site.
San Diego has become an instrument that transfers wealth from San Diego households to the wealthiest San Diego citizens and institutions. To continue to do that the city needs more money. Vote no on new taxes.