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Posts Tagged ‘City of San Diego’
Second Lawsuit Filed Challenging Proposition D
This just in to Rostra: the “fiscal impact analysis” prepared for Proposition D, the City of San Diego’s half-cent sales tax initiative is being challenged under California Elections Code §9295 in a lawsuit which alleges that the required analysis provided by the City of San Diego is “not impartial, not accurate, and misleads the public.”
“It’s time the voters are told the truth about this measure,” said plaintiff April Boling, former chairperson of the City Pension Reform Committee. “They should not rely on a flawed and misleading fiscal statement to help them cast a vote on this critically important decision.”
SD U-T Article Listing Top Pension Expenses By Name And Position
As most San Diego U-T readers have probably seen, this morning had another great piece highlighting opulent retirement compensation by the city. This SD U-T’s “Watchdog” group is proving to be a very refreshing read, digging beyond what politicians and labor union media outlets spin as “the truth.”
No on Prop D Campaign Announces Website Launch and Kickoff Event
The No on Prop D campaign has officially launched its website – and has announced a campaign kickoff event for August 25.
The website is at www.StopTheSalesTax.com. In addition to providing information on why San Diegans should vote against Prop D, the website asks San Diegans to sign a “petition against higher taxes.”
On August 25th, the campaign will formally kickoff with a large event at Coles Fine Flooring. The kickoff event boasts a host committee of over 80 civic leaders – drawing from a broad spectrum of San Diego’s communities. A full copy of the event flier can be accessed here.
Despite Deceptive Editorial, SD CityBeat Supports Sales Tax Increase
In a recent editorial, San Diego CityBeat’s staff claimed to oppose Proposition D, the sales tax increase on the November ballot. But the purported opposition is just a convenient fig-leaf for the tax-and-spend CityBeat “liberals”, as they prepare to endorse the sales tax hike. The “liberals” (I don’t like calling them liberals, as they’re not – they are leftists) rule out cuts while stressing their eagerness to raise taxes and fees. Then after having ruled out any other way of closing the budget gap, they pretend to oppose a tax they’re going to support.
Let’s start from the editorial’s conclusion:
Alert the Media: San Diego County Taxpayers Association Opposes Proposition D
In a move that didn’t catch much of anyone by surprise, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association’s Board of Directors overwhelmingly voted to oppose Proposition D, the City of San Diego’s half-cent sales tax increase which will come before San Diego voters on the November 3, 2010 ballot.
Proposition D imposes a half-cent sales tax increase on all eligible purchases within the City of San Diego if city officials meet certain conditions. It is estimated to raise $103 million in funding annually.
Lani Lutar, President & CEO of the Association, said SDCTA’s board cited the following reasons for its opposition to Proposition D:
Evidence the SD sales tax is doomed
When the San Diego city sales tax was first agreed to this week by the city council, there was a short “Breaking News” piece on the U-T website. The next day there were over 200 comments. But what struck me was the OVERWHELMING rejection of the tax by commenters. Normally there is a hyperactive cadre of government employees commenting away (often on govt time), but they seemed reticent to come out and play on this.
Then today (Sunday 8/8/10) the U-T published seven letters to the editor about the city sales tax increase — ALL opposed. And I didn’t write any of ‘em!
Our Own Microcosm of Freedom vs. Tyranny: The City Hall Machine vs. The Rest of Us
Kudos to Rostra blogger Bradley J. Fikes for this post calling out the thinly-veiled message in the U-T that actually precluded the sales tax proponents’ simple message:
“Agree to a sales tax increase or you will die.”
May I suggest we haven’t even begun to be spoon-fed this message. The coming months will be filled with it.
This is the strategy of the City Hall Machine. Keep telling all of us this message over and over until we finally say, “OK, here’s my wallet!”
Jerry Sanders: Complete Failure?
First, a very important tenet for me. I do not use the term “RINO” or take shots at someone’s conservative credentials lightly, I cannot stress that enough. Now that we have that out of the way…
Seriously? Jerry Sanders. Seriously, dude? At this point it isn’t “what have you done for us lately”, it is what have you done for us at all.
I mean that in all seriousness. Looking back at the Mayor’s time in office from the beginning until now is anything really better that wouldn’t have been fixed regardless? San Diego certainly hit a rock-bottom a few years ago and could only improve, but has the Mayor done ANYTHING beyond not setting fire to buildings to improve the city?
I welcome comments on Mayor Jerry Sanders’ accomplishments and positive things he has done as Mayor. I honestly hope I am missing something and someone can paint a more positive picture of the Mayor for me, I want to like him, I really do…
This Isn’t Right
I thought a long while before writing this post. I lived with Mayor Sander’s position on gay marriage. Gave him a pass, for the good of party unity. I was pretty upset with his position on the Arizona law, but largely kept my mouth shut. But this sales tax increase is just too much.
Top 10 Flaws in the San Diego Sales Tax Hike
Not surprisingly, the City Council today advanced the dubious Sales Tax Ballot Measure.
Put simply, San Diego taxpayers deserve better than a tax increase masquerading as “reform.” That’s why we are putting together a broad-based campaign to defeat this deceptive measure – and to articulate a bold and effective reform agenda.
If you are willing to help with the campaign, please email our campaign at info@CleanUpCityHall.com ASAP!
As we are getting started, if you could consider a donation, I’d appreciate it! Here’s an online link:
https://www.completecampaigns.com/FR/contribute.asp?campaignid=SDCAG
In the meantime, here’s a TOP TEN LIST of the FLAWS IN THE SALES TAX HIKE
SurveyUSA: 66% oppose sales tax increase in San Diego
Thanks to Vince Vasquez for the tip. To quote Vince from his Twitter post, “SurveyUSA polling data shows 66% of San Diegans oppose sales tax hike, even when tied to vague promises of reform.”
Mary England’s take on her NO vote in Lemon Grove; GOP makes needed comparison to San Diego
Following up on last night’s post noting that a sales tax increase will not be on the November ballot in Lemon Grove, the lone — but in this case all powerful — holdout provides her thoughts to SD Rostra. From Councilmember Mary England:
“Dollar for Dollar” Proposes Match of Cuts and Sales Tax Dollars
Save a dollar, get a dollar. It’s a refreshingly simple approach to solving the City of San Diego’s budget problems proffered this morning by San Diego County Taxpayers Association President & CEO Lani Lutar.
Lutar delivered this memo to Mayor Jerry Sanders and member of the San Diego City Council this morning. So far, Councilmember Carl DeMaio has reacted favorably to the proposal, posting the memo on his Twitter feed (@carldemaio).
When I read something this sensible and fair, my cynical mind thinks, “OK, what’s the catch?” The only catch is that everyone needs to come to their senses, play fair, and try to uphold their end of the deal.
Can it be done? As a taxpayer, would you be willing to reward elected officials for making cuts with the carrot of a few tax dollars? Or should our reps be making these cuts simply because that’s the job we elected them to do in the first place? Your thoughts?
Councilmember DeMaio’s Statement on “Blank Check” Sales Tax Increase
Councilmember DeMaio issued the following statement regarding the proposed sales tax increase:
“Until pension reform is implemented, San Diegans can continue to expect chronic budget deficits and service cuts. This tax hike is not a solution to fix run-away pension costs. It’s a blank check tax increase on working families that will end up delaying reform.”
RINO Exhibit at City Hall Zoo
As the melodrama surrounding City Hall unfolded this week, one thing became obvious to all observers of city and local politics. Jerry Sanders has shown himself to be a R.I.N.O. (Republican in Name Only) who lacks the ability to lead this city. His commitment to Republican principles has been whispered about for years. This week has shown Jerry to be nothing more than a tax and spend opportunist who is more interested in grabbing money from taxpayers than doing what’s best for them.
Coalition Letter to Mayor Sanders, Re: Sales Tax Ballot Proposal
REFORM BEFORE REVENUE COALITION
Asian Business Association of San Diego
Republican Party of San Diego County
Building Industry Association – San Diego
San Diego County Apartment Association
California Restaurant Association
San Diego County Taxpayers Association
Neighborhood Market Association
San Diego Tax Fighters
Lincoln Club of San Diego County
July 29, 2010
Honorable Mayor Jerry Sanders
Honorable City Councilmembers
City of San Diego
202 West C Street, 11th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
Re: Reform Before Revenue
Dear Mayor Sanders and City Councilmembers:
City of San Diego moves headlong toward “something”
Voice reporter Liam Dillon is literally camped out at SD City Hall. From Voice of SD…
City Sets Emergency Financial Meeting; Frye and Mayor to Present Joint Proposal?
The San Diego City Council will meet Friday morning at 10 a.m. to discuss City Councilwoman Donna Frye’s proposed ballot measure linking a sales tax increase to a series of cost-cutting reforms. Read more here
Also: Mayor Jerry Sanders and Frye are about to announce a comprehensive financial reform package, San Diego County Taxpayers Association CEO Lani Lutar has told VOSD reporter Liam Dillon.
Follow Dillon’s The Hall Blog for updates all day.
DeMaio & Faulconer Outline Criteria for Achieving Fiscal Reform Without Raising Taxes
DeMaio & Faulconer Outline Criteria for Achieving Fiscal Reform Without Raising Taxes
Proposed Sales Tax Initiative Does Not Fix Broken City Government
San Diego – Councilmember Carl DeMaio joined Councilmember Kevin Faulconer in identifying “10 Criteria for Real Fiscal Reform in City Government.” The reforms include significant reforms to the city’s debt-ridden pension system, immediate implementation of open and fair competitive bidding on city services, and a comprehensive fiscal analysis.
ZOMBIE SALES TAX RETURNS YET AGAIN
SALES TAX IS NOT DEAD YET!
We enjoyed some brief success yesterday (Monday, 26 July, 2010) when Donna Frye threw a monkey wrench into the San Diego City Council majority’s plan to put a sales tax on the ballot. As you probably all know by now, she joined with Carl DeMaio and Kevin Faulconer to torpedo a sales tax increase that the rest of the union-beholden Councilmembers wanted.
Folks – as they used to say in the old Westerns about the attacking Native Ameicans — “here they come again!”
Breaking News: Donna Frye Votes Down Sales Tax
Just a few minutes ago Donna Frye joined Carl DeMaio and Kevin Faulconer in voting down the proposed sales tax.
DeMaio Thanks Grassroots for Helping Defeat City Sales Tax Hike
YOU did it! We received countless emails and calls at the City Council today against the sales tax increase.
I want to thank my colleagues Donna Frye and Kevin Faulconer for voting against the sales tax proposal today — and standing firm for real pension reform. If you have a moment, please shoot both Kevin and Donna an email thanking them for their vote! (emails at www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil)
-Carl
PS: My statement from today’s Council meeting is below…
DeMaio Statement Against Sales Tax Increase — And For Pension Reform
DeMaio: Sales Tax Hike a “Bailout” For City Politicians
Sales Tax Hike a “Bailout” For City Politicians on the Backs of Working Families
Without Pension Reform Funds From Tax Increase Will Be Wasted
San Diego – City Councilmember Carl DeMaio today labeled the proposed city sales tax increase a “bailout” for city politicians that have failed to implement long overdue reforms to the pension system and competitive bidding on city services.
“The majority on the City Council has spent the past several years blocking pension reform and real competition on city services. Instead of implementing reforms, they have cut city services, browned out fire stations, resorted to questionable accounting shifts, and raided reserves. Now they are desperately seeking a bailout from San Diego’s working families in the form of a regressive sales tax hike,” commented DeMaio.
San Diegans AGAINST The Sales Tax Increase Plan Monday News Conference
Concerned business owners and citizens will step forward to voice their opposition to a proposed sales tax increase in the City of San Diego prior to a discussion at the San Diego City Council meeting on Monday afternoon, July 26 at 1 p.m. Speakers will call for the City to address pension reform, managed competition and spending cuts before asking taxpayers for any more of their hard-earned money.
The event will take place at the Concourse next to San Diego City Hall, 202 C Street, San Diego, CA 92101.
DeMaio Proposes Action Plan to Help Small Businesses
Flanked by a number of small business advocates, City Councilmember Carl DeMaio today released an extensive action plan proposing big changes to how the City of San Diego interacts with local small businesses – such as migrating at least 95% of all business transactions online, streamlining regulations, consolidating small business grants, and refocusing the City’s Office of Small Business.
“Too often our city government has been a hindrance rather than a help to our small businesses. With these reforms we seek to fundamentally change the processes and culture at City Hall to help our local small businesses succeed in this tough economy,” commented DeMaio.
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