Jerry Sanders Wants a Sales Tax Increase? Bring it on!
Prepare to LOSE, Jerry – big-time
Let’s see if I can summarize what’s happening. From a financial viewpoint, the city of San Diego is going down the tubes. Reforms are being blocked by the labor union owned (well, rented) city council. We are a grossly mismanaged city held up to nationwide ridicule – “Enron-by-the-Sea.”
Then earlier this week our city council approved building a new, unneeded downtown central library, even though they are over $30 million short of the funding needed. And it looks like a $300 million new city hall monument/pyramid is being approved by the mayor and city council, and headed for the ballot – even though far less expensive options are available. Still to come are a new convention center and a second Charger stadium.
Now Mayor Sanders and the labor unions are floating the idea for a new “temporary” city sales tax increase. Plans are that this tax increase will go on the November ballot – right beside their proposition for the wildly unpopular $300 million new city hall.
I say “bring it on, Jerry!” The voters today are well aware that the city’s REAL problem is irresponsible politicians, and the labor unions’ control of city hall. The LAST thing voters will want to do is to give more tax money to these spendthrifts.
But the best part is that voters will connect the dots – figuring out that the “coincidental” city council approval of the downtown library and new city hall is indeed related to the tax increase. After all, this general tax increase can be spent on whatever the politicians want – it will not have ANY restrictions as to usage.
So perhaps “Jerry’s Sales Tax” (with apologies to Jerry Lewis and his “Jerry’s Kids” MDA charity) can serve a double purpose. It’s an opportunity for city voters to once again inform our politicians that tax increases are not the answer. And it will effectively kill off the plans for the new city hall, as both props will likely be voted down in tandem.
Sadly, as soon as the sales tax measure goes to the ballot, all further meaningful city reforms will come to a grinding stop. The unions will spend big bucks on trying to pass the sales tax, and inform the politicians that no further labor concessions or reforms will be allowed. Only after we voters crush this measure at the polls will reforms resume in San Diego.