SVTA Mission:
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.
We invite you to join us in that mission!
VOTER GUIDE - Novermber 3, 2026 Election
Santa Clara County
Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association recommends careful study of these 5 tax increases on the November 3rd ballot:
1. Gilroy Unified School District's measure authorizing $295,000,000 in bond, at legal rates, and levying approximately $59 per $100,000 of assessed value (raising$18,300,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, be adopted, with annual audits, independent oversight, NO money for teacher/administrator salaries and all money spent locally?
2. City of Gilroy measure raising the Transient Occupancy Tax (hotel tax) rate from 9% to a maximum of 13%, set by Council resolution, providing $700,000 annually paid only by hotel/lodging guests, with annual independent audits, that cannot be taken by Sacramento, until ended by voters , be adopted?
3. City of Palo Alto’s measure enacting a 0.5% (1/2¢) sales tax, providing approximately $15,600,000 annually until ended by voters, with published financial audits, all funds used locally, be adopted?
4. Increase the City of Mountain View's existing Transient Occupancy Tax paid by hotel and short-term rental guests from 10% up to 15%, generating up to $5,200,000 annually until ended by voters, with independent audits, be adopted?
5. Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District's measure be adopted, authorizing $321,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, levying approximately $30 per $100,000 assessed value ($23,000,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, with oversight, annual audits, and local control?
6. More to come...
FYI.........Mark Hinkle - President SVTA
San Mateo County
Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association recommends a NO VOTE for these 3 tax increases:
Measure A: Ravenswood City School District Bond debt increase
Measure B: Brisbane School District Parcel Tax increase
Measure C: Redwood City Elementary School District Parcel Tax <<FAILED>>
Opinion: looming Bay Area sales tax hike ignores massive overspending on transit
School district responds to critics as board considers bonds, parcel tax
OpED article from SVTA President, Mark Hinkle, featured in Opportunity Now:
https://www.opportunitynowsv.org/blog/-hinkle-sv-school-bonds-promise-technology-do-they-really-prepare-students-for-tech-jobs
Measure A passed on the November 4th ballot with 57% of the vote.
The SVTA Endorsed a NO vote and we, along with the Libertarian Party of Santa Clara, have filed suit in Superior Court to overturn the election.
May 2025 Special Election:
Measure A - $72 Parcel Tax: San Jose Unified School District <<DEFEATED>>
2024 Victories: Measures L & M = Two $70,000,000 School Bonds defeated.
...thanks to our legal victory over the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority, taxpayers saved $65,000,000.
+
$900,000,000
...in savings to Santa Clara taxpayers!
...thanks to the defeat of Measure I, the $900,000,000 bond measure: Morgan Hill Unified School District (March 3, 2020)
+
$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.
Learn what else we've been up to! See these articles & more in our Press Room.