A new half-cent sales tax to raise an estimated $81 million a year, mostly for social services, moved closer to the November election ballot Tuesday, but delays in passing a certain state Senate bill could still derail it.
On a 4-1 vote, the supervisors voted to place the sales tax measure on the November ballot contingent on the passage before Aug. 24 of state Senate Bill 1349, drafted by Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, which would authorize Contra Costa County specifically to impose a transactions and use tax of up to a half-cent “for general or specific purposes to support countywide programs.”
That bill would allow such a tax to pass with only a majority vote, rather than a two-thirds vote. Without the bill’s approval, the county’s sales tax measure couldn’t practically move forward.
Passage of SB 1349 and other bills has been delayed by a state Legislature summer recess that was extended because COVID-19 had directly affected several staffers and at least one legislator. Whether SB 1349 will get a vote in time for the Contra Costa measure to get onto the ballot isn’t certain.
The supervisors also set a meeting for Aug. 21, a Friday, so they could vote to rescind the sales tax measure in case SB 1349 is not signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom by then.
“I am not going to allow this to go ahead … unless I know the governor has actually said he will sign (SB 1349),” Supervisor Karen Mitchoff said.
Added Supervisor Diane Burgis, “We need to protect the county by not spending the money for something that doesn’t go through.”
The Contra Costa County supervisors last month approved spending $10,000 for a poll by the firm FM3 Research to help determine voter support for the sales tax measure.
A county-commissioned poll showed at least 59 percent support for the tax, depending on various specific inclusions. Among the most strongly supported uses for the tax money, the poll results showed, are mental health
care, after-school programs, the Contra Costa County Regional Medical Center and for increasing transparency and accountability of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.
Public comments Tuesday were mixed about supporting a new tax. Several said the county needs additional revenue to sustain needed social programs now more than ever, with the COVID-19 pandemic stretching country resources to the limit and beyond.
But others said the COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder for owners of closed businesses, and for people who’ve lost their jobs, to bear another tax of from $25 to $70 annually.
“It’s just too much of a burden when the money’s not flowing,” Deborah Thompson of Martinez told the supervisors.
Supervisor Candace Andersen, who agreed that now isn’t the right time to seek a tax increase, was the one “no” vote on the board Tuesday.
NO NEW TAXES!! Pouring money into a deep hole with nothing to show for it ever!
No more taxes.
No more fees.
No more of the county taxing the people and providing minimal service.
There needs to be at least four new supervisors next election.
VOTE NO !!
Do these people realize we Californians are getting nickeled and dimed at every turn??
Nickels and dimes add up you dolts!!
Added Supervisor Diane Burgis, “We need to protect the county by not spending the money for something that doesn’t go through. So that’s common practice I suppose…
Much of the money would go towards this county social services…
As a reminder when we talk about social services this also includes foster care. This county does not need to continue funding a program that is so fraught with unspeakable actions from the social workers, licensing, and all the way up to Kathy Marsh the director. Approving foster homes of pedophiles, losing children in the foster system, the deaths of foster children while under the care of these workers, along with the outright fraud, abuse of power, and misuse of county and federal funding.
At what point is the grand jury and or the board of supervisors going to hire an external auditor, bring back a true ombudsman for these children, and finally clean up the nepotism that has run rampant for the last decade?
Hold this board and this county accountable and I’m sure hundreds if not millions of dollars less tax revenue could then be dispersed into the other departments that are being managed better.
My family and I will vote no on any new taxes.
A half-cent here and a half cent there and soon you’re talking about real money. Wake up folks! We’re looking at a sales tax of OVER 10%!
California was in the top 3 for highest state taxes and evidently California Democrat don’t like being #3.
Need I remind you that “temporary taxes” are like kinda being pregnant. In this case it is non-consensual.
So SB 1349 is to undermine the will of the voters to give YES votes more weight than NO votes? What gives?
@Bad Nombre,
What a bunch of sneaky son of a guns! You’re right SB1349…
That bill would allow such a tax to pass with only a majority vote, rather than a two-thirds vote. Let’s hope covid-19 wreaks more havoc on their session and they don’t pass this bill before August 24 deadline. I’m going to remember the supervisors that voted yes for this to move forward…this is adding insult to injury to their constituents!
Nole, and if these fools make this law, vote them out.. good lord we are all bleeding out from this. We the people own them…not the other way around
No more taxes! You don’t wisely spent what you get now!
No credibility equals a no vote.
Californians sure love taxes. Say no to new taxes.
No, no, no
What y’all voters were already paying older 13% the city’s want more the County’s want more the state wants more the more you give them the more they’re going to spend and a less the taxpayers will get out of it
NO more taxes.
They already are mishandling the current tax money. No need for more to waste
Not a big deal, just vote NO.
You’d have to be a compete fool to give Gavin and Glazier and the state ONE MORE DAMN CENT..
Don’t ever vote to increase your taxes. Use your brain.
The county was also trying to tax the City of Concord only an additional tax because they are the only City in the County that has not reached the maximum allowed. Will this apply to all cities in CCC?
No and hell no!
No on taxes of any kind. No on bonds of any kind. No on adding fees to the property tax bill. NO, NO, NO!
wait…is this in addition to the 1/2 cent tax that Concord is looking to “extend”????
Government usage – tax revenue, by race. Net effect in billions (rounded):
Asians: +293
Blacks: -661
Hispanics: -334
Whites: +312
To increase chances of this comment not being censored I am not including a source link. A search for “race net effect taxes usa” will provide sourced statistics.
Notwithstanding the Federal Reserve scam, our nation is in deficit.
Amnesty act has allowed net negatives to overwhelm voting power of net positives in this state. Combined with blatant voter fraud and an increasing population of net negatives it should come as no surprise that this and every other tax increase will be voted in.
Part of the problem is there are plenty of complainers out there who don’t take the time to actually vote. And for those of you who do vote for the tax, you’re welcome to give all you want – of your money. I’m voting NO, damnit!
Please do your research and find out that all these Itty bitty tax increases for specific or general fund bologna is complete and utter nonsense. No, I will not be voting in a new or extended tax! No, it’s not going to a good cause. No, no, no. What is the government actually doing for me??
The supervisors (4 of 5) only want the tax measure on the Nov. 2020 ballot if SB 1349 passes by Aug 24.
Why not put it on the ballot without SB 1349? Because then it would require 2/3 approval instead of the proposed 51% approval rate of SB1349.
Get it? They are afraid it won’t pass without SB 1349.
yep and yep we are being taxed by the board and the city and the state
what you did not expect them to slap you when your down …and scold you and throw criminals at you ….
A county-commissioned poll showed at least 59 percent support for the tax, depending on various specific inclusions.
wow so raise your hand if you are the percentage that want to be taxed again and again ..come on this is a safe space
no mention of where the bond money from the high speed rail scam (which is billions of dollars) ….is or went or is going …well we do know it goes to the general skim fund
why do you think the politicians of this state make decent money but have huge mansions and bank accounts of millions
they are stealing our money….and your giving them more …well actually dem voters are making us pay more because they live of of the freebees
so we the tax payers have to make a stand and stop the fleecing of hard working american citizens ….
or just concede to national socialism and be told what to do and have them take your weapons ….and freedom ….and souls ….at least we will be able to be like the criminals and skirt laws and such so we can get an extra piece of bread from the ration police
communism here we come …..
No.
Candace Andersen was the only no vote, can she please run for Governor?
They already spent $10k to a research firm to make sure this would pass, but I don’t think that they got the results they wanted. Absolute buffoons.
Non, nein, ouchi, ei, nee, la, nao, net, nah, nein, ne, lei, いいえ (iie), No. In how many languages can we say “No.” ?
I’m pretty sure our resident Dutch lady uses nee which when pronounced is more like nay.
It is disgusting that Sen. Steve Glazer would want to GAME the rules to allow a tax increase to pass with only a majority vote, rather than a two-thirds vote. That allows the 50% of population that does not pay taxes to vote themselves more services money. NO MORE TAXES