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Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association is dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of the taxpayers of Silicon Valley against the over-reaching and over-spending of government.
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SVTA Voter Guide for Santa Clara County
November 3, 2020 Election
The Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association recommends a NO vote on the following November 3, 2020 ballot measures:

Statewide Propositions SVTA Recommendations:
Prop 15 - partial repeal of Prop 13 - Vote = DEFEATED!!!

Measure E: City of Santa Clara City Code Amendment Majority
Vote To maintain and protect the level of essential city services including 9-1-1 emergency medical/disaster preparedness, police and fire protection, bicycle and pedestrian safety, roadways and storm drains, and other vital services including parks, recreation, libraries and senior services, shall a measure increasing the hotel tax rate up to 4%, generating up to approximately 7 million dollars annually, paid only by hotel/motel guests, until ended by voters, be adopted?

MEASURE F: City of Milpitas Use Tax Majority Vote
City of Milpitas Public Services Measure. To provide funding to maintain the City’s finances and services, including: police and fire protection, 9-1-1 emergency response, and natural disaster preparation; youth, senior, and recreation services; repairing park equipment and maintaining parks and recreation centers; and attracting and retaining location businesses; shall the measure, establishing a1/4¢ sales tax, providing approximately $6,500,000 annually for 8 years, requiring independent audits, citizens’ oversight committee, all funds spent locally, be adopted?

MEASURE I: San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Parcel Tax 2/3 Vote = DEFEATED!!!
SAN JOSE-EVERGREEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT JOB TRAINING, STUDENT SUPPORT AND AFFORDABILITY MEASURE. To provide locally controlled funding for community colleges to attract and retain quality faculty; provide assistance with food, housing, fees, books, transportation, and internet access so students can complete their degrees; prepare students for transfer to UC and CSU schools, and career and job training, shall San JoseEvergreen Community College District’s measure levying $18 per parcel for 9 years ($4,500,000 annually), be adopted, with citizens’ oversight, and all funds used locally?
MEASURE J San Jose-Evergreen Community College District School Bonds 55% Vote = DEFEATED!!!
SAN JOSÉ-EVERGREEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT CAREER, COLLEGE TRANSFER, CLASSROOM REPAIR, SAFETY MEASURE. To upgrade facilities preparing students/veterans for university transfer/careers like healthcare, technology, emergency response, and recruit/retain quality faculty by modernizing, repairing aging classrooms, technology, science labs; acquire construct, repair facilities, equipment, sites; shall San JoséEvergreen Community College District’s measure authorizing $858,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, levying 1.75¢ per $100 assessed valuation, raising approximately $53,000,000 annually while bonds are outstanding, with audits/no money for administrators’ salaries, be adopted?

MEASURE K Franklin-McKinley School District Parcel Tax 2/3 Vote
To improve the quality of education and enhance student achievement, by expanding reading, counseling and tutoring programs for at-risk students; maintaining small class sizes, enhancing reading math, and science programs; retaining teachers; and expanding student access to after school programs, shall Franklin-McKinley School District’s measure levying $72.00 per parcel annually for five years, be adopted, raising $1.2 million annually, have no funds for administrators’ salaries, provide a senior citizens’ exemption and have all funds stay local?

Measure L: Campbell Union High School District Parcel Tax 2/3 Vote d= DEFEATED!!!
To ensure students receive engaging distance learning instruction that accelerates learning and can safely return to in-person school with smaller class sizes to facilitate social distancing guidelines as the pandemic subsides, shall the Campbell Union High School District measure be adopted renewing an existing $85 annual parcel tax that can be ended by voters, providing approximately $4,814,485 annually, exempting senior and qualified disabled citizens, subject to independent oversight, annual audits, and local control?
Endorsing a NO vote:
San Jose Mercury News Editorial board

Measure M: Fremont Union High School District Parcel Tax 2/3 Vote
To renew its existing parcel tax without increasing the annual levy, support strong academic programs in reading, writing, math, science, technology and engineering, and prepare students for college and careers by attracting and retaining high quality teachers and staff, shall the Fremont Union High School District measure to renew its existing $98 parcel tax providing approximately $5 million annually for 8 years, with citizen oversight, exemptions for seniors, and all funds benefitting local high schools be adopted?

Measure N: Loma Prieta Joint Union Elementary School District parcel Tax - 2/3 Vote = DEFEATED!!!
To support high academic achievement for local students and provide stable local funding to maintain outstanding core academic programs in reading, writing, math, history and science, retain qualified and experienced teachers, and prepare students for an excellent high school, shall Loma Prieta Joint Union Elementary School District’s measure be adopted, extending without increasing its $164 school parcel tax for seven years raising $328,000 annually, with senior exemptions, independent citizen oversight, and all funds benefitting local students.

Measure O: Palo Alto Unified School District Parcel Tax 2/3 Vote
To renew expiring local school funding that cannot be taken by the State; preserve excellence in academic programs, including science, math, reading, writing, arts/music; attract/retain qualified teachers and minimize layoffs; support at-risk students; shall Palo Alto Unified School District's measure be adopted, extending its current $836 parcel tax for six years, raising approximately $16,000,000 annually with senior exemptions, 2% annual inflation adjustment, independent citizen oversight, all funds benefiting local students?
MEASURE P Evergreen Elementary School District School Bonds 55% Vote
To increase student internet and computer access; upgrade school emergency preparedness; install campus security, emergency notification and communication alarms and systems; and retrofit and renovate classrooms and facilities throughout the District; shall Evergreen Elementary School District’s measure to issue $80 million of bonds be adopted with projected annual tax rates averaging less than $0.03 per $100 assessed valuation for 12 years ($7.5 million per year for bond repayment), legal interest rates, annual audits and independent oversight?

MEASURE Q: Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District School Bonds 55% Vote
To acquire equipment/instructional technology to improve distance learning and internet access; renovate heating/cooling systems, aging restrooms; upgrade school emergency preparedness, outdated electrical wiring, handicapped accessibility; acquire, renovate, construct classrooms, equipment, sites and facilities, shall Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District’s measure authorizing $12,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, levying 3 cents/$100 assessed value, $975,000 annually while bonds are outstanding, with independent citizen oversight, no money for administrators’ salaries, pensions or benefits, and all money benefiting local schools?

MEASURE R: Cambrian School District School Bonds 55% Vote
To repair/ upgrade aging classrooms, science labs, school facilities, and instructional technology to support student achievement in math, science, engineering, technology, and arts, repair deteriorating roofs, plumbing, electrical, remove asbestos/lead pipes where needed, and upgrade classrooms/ computers to keep pace with technology, shall the Cambrian School District measure authorizing $88,000,000 in bonds at legal rates be adopted, levying 3 cents/ $100 assessed value ($5,080,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, with citizen oversight/ all money staying local?

MEASURE S: Santa Clara Valley Water District Parcel Tax 2/3 Vote
Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program. Shall the measure to renew the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program which ensures public health and safety by: • protecting drinking water supply, dams from earthquakes and climate change; • reducing pollution, toxins and contaminants in waterways; and • providing flood protection; by renewing Santa Clara Valley Water District’s existing parcel tax without increasing rates, averaging $.006 per square foot annually as described in Resolution 20-64 until ended by voters, raising approximately $45,500,000 annually, with qualifying senior exemption, annual audits, independent citizen oversight be adopted?
Also endorsing no votes:
Brian Holtz - Director: Purissima Hillls Water District
Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County

MEASURE T: Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority Parcel Tax 2/3 Vote
To continue protecting and preserving natural open spaces without increasing tax rates by: • managing land and water to reduce wildfires and floods; • protecting land around creeks to prevent pollution and improve water quality; • creating urban parks; • preserving wildlife habitats; and, preserving family farms, and healthy food sources; shall the measure to renew Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority’s existing $24 annual parcel tax with no increase, generating approximately $8,000,000 annually, until ended by voters, with oversight/audits, be adopted?
Media coverage:
Morgan Hill Times

MEASURE RR Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CalTrain) Sales Tax 2/3 Vote
To preserve Caltrain service and support regional economic recovery, prevent traffic congestion, make Caltrain more affordable and accessible, reduce air pollution with cleaner and quieter electric trains, make travel times faster, and increase Caltrain frequency and capacity between Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco counties, shall the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board’s resolution levying a 30-year one-eighth cent sales tax with oversight and audits, providing approximately $100 million annually for Caltrain that the State cannot take away, be adopted?
Civic Podcast featuring San Francisco No on Measure RR activist Eric Garris.
San Mateo Daily Journal article on Cal Train - Measure RR
Former Mayor of Foster City Jim Lawrence critic of Measure RR
San Jose Spotlight
-----------------
Organizations also endorsing a No vote:
San Francisco Republican Party
Libertarian Party of Santa Clara
San Mateo Republican Party
The San Mateo Daily Journal
Media coverage of Measure RR:
Los Altos Town Crier
Palo Alto Online

The Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association recommends a YES vote on the following November 3, 2020 ballot measures:

MEASURE H City of San Jose Card Room Tax Majority Vote
To fund general San José services, including fire protection, disaster preparedness, 911 emergency response, street repair, youth programs, addressing homelessness, and supporting vulnerable residents, shall an ordinance be adopted increasing the cardroom tax rate from 15% to 16.5%, applying the tax to third party providers at these rates: up to $25,000,000 at 5%; $25,000,001 to $30,000,000 at 7.5%; and over $30,000,000 at 10%, increasing card tables by 30, generating approximately $15,000,000 annually, until repealed?

SVTA Voter Guide for San Mateo County
November 3, 2020 Election -
We recommend a NO vote on the following:
Measure Q – City of Daly City: .5% Sales Tax Measure
Majority Voter Approval Required
Measure U – City of Half Moon Bay: Transient Occupancy Tax Measure
Measure V – City of East Palo Alto: Transient Occupancy Tax Measure - Vote = DEFEATED!!!
Majority Voter Approval Required
Measure X – City of San Bruno: Transient Occupancy Tax Measure -
Organizations also endorsing a No vote:
San Mateo Republican Party
Measure W – City of San Mateo: Transient Occupancy Tax Measure
Organizations also endorsing a No vote:
San Mateo Republican Party
Majority Voter Approval Required
55% Voter Approval Required
55% Voter Approval Required
2/3 Voter Approval Required

Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association
- March 3, 2020 -
10 Victories:
Defeated measures in Santa Clara County:
Measure I - $900M bond
Measure J - $60M bond
Measure K - $298 parcel tax
Measure N - $32.5M bond
Measure O - $125 parcel tax
Measure P - $98 parcel tax
Measure Q - $149 parcel tax
Measure S - $132 parcel tax
Measure V - $125M bond
Defeated measure in San Mateo County:
Measure P - $531 parcel tax
2020 Taxpayers' savings: $1,199,500,000

We are pleased to report...
...in savings to Santa Clara County taxpayers--and counting!
...thanks to our legal victory over the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority.
+
$65,000,000
...in savings to Santa Clara taxpayers!
...thanks to the defeat of Measure A, the $65,000,000 bond measure in the city of Los Altos (Nov. 3, 2015)
+
$45,000,000
... in savings to San Mateo taxpayers!
...thanks to the defeat of Measure V, the $45,000,000 bond measure in the city of San Carlos (Nov. 3, 2015)
+
$ 2,000,000*
...in savings to San Mateo County taxpayers!
...thanks to our defeat of Measure G, the five-year-long parcel tax, in San Mateo County (Nov. 6, 2012).
* Figure approximated by the authors of Measure G.
SVTA in the News:
Here are examples of SVTA's recent press coverage of our positions and activities:
San Jose: Appeals court halts city'szo push to overturn Measure B
By Ramona Giwargis
Posted: 05/11/2016 11:53:54 AM PDT
Updated: 05/11/2016 12:41:25 PM PDT
SAN JOSE -- In a major victory to former Councilman Pete Constant and a defeating blow to his one-time ally, Mayor Sam Liccardo, a court on Wednesday put the brakes on the city repealing Measure B -- the pension reform initiative voters overwhelmingly approved in 2012.
"I'm happy the court agreed that the council cannot move forward in such a rushed manner -- trying to push things through before the court process was completed," Constant said Wednesday.
Constant, along with the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association and businessman Charles Munger, Jr., have legally challenged the city's quest to nullify Measure B through a court proceeding.
Constant, who championed Measure B along with Liccardo, said any changes to the initiative must go back out to voters.
The city last year reached settlements during closed-door meetings with employee unions who filed numerous lawsuits against the measure, saying it was an assault on their rights.
Liccardo and the current City Council pushed to replace Measure B with the settlement framework -- but without consent from voters who approved it.
"All we've asked for is that residents be given the right to vote on the settlement between the city and the unions," Constant said. "We believe that right rests solely with the residents."
Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Beth McGowen didn't agree. She issued two separate rulings denying Constant's plea and siding with the city in its attempt to wipe Measure B off the books.
Union leaders applauded the move, saying it allows them to begin rebuilding a workforce that was depleted from hundreds of employees resigning after pension reform.
Constant and his group appealed and the court Wednesday granted a stay in the case -- stopping all proceedings to reconsider the case. Both sides have until May 23 to submit their arguments.
The highly-charged issue pitted Liccardo against Constant, one of the mayor's closest political confidants, and led to an accelerated push from City Hall to overturn Measure B.
One day after Constant gave Liccardo a "heads up" courtesy call about his intent to file court papers to stop the city's process of repealing the measure, the mayor called an emergency closed-session meeting to sign off on the city's court documents.
Then on Tuesday, the City Council voted 10-1 to declare the resolution that put Measure B on the ballot "null and void due to a procedural defect." The item was placed on the council agenda late Friday afternoon -- forgoing the standard 10-day notice required by the city's "sunshine" ordinance.
City Attorney Rick Doyle says that action is now on hold, pending the outcome of the appeal. But the council will not rescind Tuesday's vote, he added.
"The court is basically putting things on hold until it gets the opportunity to decide the petition," Doyle said. "Everyone needs to take a deep breath. I'm confident they'll uphold Judge McGowen's decision as the right decision."
But what's at stake by another speed bump in the Measure B saga? Lost time and the potential of missing a looming deadline. The City Council must finalize a ballot measure related to Measure B by August to make it on the November ballot. If it misses that deadline, the city must wait another two years to ask voters about pension reform.
This story will be updated.
Contact Ramona Giwargis at 408-920-5705. Follow her at Twitter.com/ramonagiwargis.
Learn what else we've been up to! See these articles & more in our Press Room.