We warned the SANDAG tax and spend Republicans to vote against putting Proposition X on the ballot:
Thus, the Republican Party is the “no new taxes” party. Nationally, we ask our federal candidates to sign a pledge to oppose new taxes. Statewide, we ask our statewide and legislative candidates to sign that pledge. Locally, our standing policy is “no new taxes”. If you run as an endorsed Republican, especially in San Diego County, the compact with the voters is that you will OPPOSE any new taxes.
A few Republicans on SANDAG think they have a cute way around this compact; they intend to approve a proposed tax ballot initiative. Rather than do what we elected them to do, they cloak their support for higher taxes in the “it’s not supposed to be MY call…let the VOTERS decide“. Poppycock. The voters “decided” when we elected you to office with the understanding that you would oppose any attempts at new taxation.
Then, we gave y’all a life line, an “out” if you will, if your Council directed you to vote for this new tax:
Let me offer a life line to the elected Republicans who want to vote to put the tax hike on the ballot: Delay the vote until you get an up or down signal from your City Council. Introduce a resolution in your City Council meeting with these words:
“The City Of XXXX supports the half-cent sales tax increase to fund the SANDAG transportation initiative.”
Put this resolution on the agenda verbatim. If you reword the resolution to support a public ballot, you will dilute its efficacy. This resolution gives you the cover to vote against the resolution but take direction from the Council majority which wants you to support the SANDAG initiative.
We made this promise:
Republicans on SANDAG, who vote to put this on the ballot, should expect a conservative challenger this November. I promise you that I will communicate to the voters that the incumbent voted to raise their taxes.
I know, I know…it’s just Crazy Brady and the tea party group. Think again. Last week, RPSDC Chairman Tony Krvaric weighed in with a very specific opinion:
When voters got the ballot and elect Republicans they expect those Republicans to hold the line on new taxes. That includes not voting to put tax increases on the ballot. Yes, it’s a cop out to say “All we’re doing is letting voters decide”. Come on. Lets the Democrats be the party of raising taxes.
It’s getting serious. The “No new taxes coalition” is strong in San Diego County. The Escondido Council put this measure on the agenda (as will Coronado) and, in Escondido, every single Council member instructed the SANDAG representative to vote against allowing Proposition X on the ballot.
We know a few of you think you have to “stand up to us” because we are “threatening” you with a challenger. Be reasonable; we gave you a life line if your Council voted to support Proposition X. We did that for two reasons:
1- It smokes out the tax hikers on your Council. Some of you are running against these folks so it’s great politics to make your opposition vote to raise taxes. Trust me –your consultants will love you for this.
2- I wanted to give you an out. We will still going to raise money and oppose Proposition X but, if you vote against this tax on a Council resolution, we won’t target you.
Now, your own political party is reminding you that it opposes any and all taxes. Chairman Krvaric’s letter is going to make our job easier in November.
Don’t do it. Please, don’t do it.