Reaction to the suggestion floated by San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders about putting a half-cent sales tax increase on the November ballot has drawn a stunningly swift reaction from numerous fronts. The San Diego County Taxpayers Association, Republican Party of San Diego County, Lincoln Club of San Diego County, San Diego Tax Fighters, Stop Taxing US, and City Councilmembers Kevin Faulconer and Carl DeMaio all issued news releases quickly denouncing the idea. T.J. Zane, CEO of the Lincoln Club, referred to councilmembers as “deadbeat relatives” asking for a handout, then upped the stakes by calling them “drug addicts” needing a money fix.
A Gang of Seven inlcuding several of those listed here plans to conduct a news conference making their displeasure known en masse on Monday, July 12, at Westfield University Towne Center. See more info here.
This nutty idea seems like a non-starter. But it will only take five votes on the San Diego City Council to put this ill-considered idea on the ballot. Then we’ll see a lot of time, talent and treasure put into fighting for and against this measure, when it could be much better spent addressing the need for reform at City Hall, particularly pension reform. It’s sure to go down in flames.
But perhaps it’s the perfect “cover” certain City Councilmembers need to appease their labor union pals. When (not if) this sales tax measure goes down to defeat, said Councilmembers can then turn to their union friends and say, “I did everything I could, but now you gotta give me some concessions to work with because otherwise you’re going to go down. I can’t protect you guys anymore.” Talk about a long way around the outhouse.
In the meantime, the posse comitatus at UTC on Monday should put on a good show.
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I’ve joked with several members of my City Council (Poway) that one way for them to increase tax revenue for Poway, is to support neighboring cities push to raise their sales tax. So in the interest of bringing more tax revenue to Poway, I really do hope San Diego raises their sales tax so more people will come to Poway to buy. I have my fingers crossed that Poway won’t even think about raising their sales tax….