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    • Who We Are
      • Director Emeritus, Doug McNea
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  • Elections
    • Nov. 2, 2021 Mail Ballot - Santa Clara County
      • Berryessa Union Elementary
      • Los Gatos Union School District
      • Menlo Park City School District
    • May 4, 2021 Mail Ballot - Santa Clara & San Mateo
    • San Mateo Nov. 3, 2020 General Election
    • March 2020 Elections - Santa Clara County
      • Measure E - San Jose Transfer Tax
      • Measure G - Foothill De Anza Bond
      • Measure H - Foothill De Anza Parcel tax
      • Measure I - Morgan Hill Bond
      • Measure J - East Side Union High
      • Measure K - Campbell Union High
      • Measure L - San Benito High
      • Measure O - Cupertino Union
      • Measure P - Campbelll Union Parcel Tax
      • Measure Q - Union School Parcel Tax
      • Measure R - Franklin McKinley Bond
      • Measure S - Oak Grove Parcel Tax
      • Measure T - MV Wishman Bond
      • Measure U - Berryessa Union Bond
      • Measure V - Evergreen Bond
    • Santa Clara Nov. 3, 2020 General Election
    • San Mateo June 23, 2020 Special Election
    • March 2020 Election - San Mateo County
      • SM-Measure J - Jefferson
      • SM-Measure-K - Brisbane
      • SM-Measure L - San Mateo
      • SM-Measure M - Las Honda Pescadero
      • SM-Measure-N - San Carlos
      • SM-Measure-O - Burlingame
      • SM-Measure-P - Portola Valley
    • November 8, 2016 Elections
      • Measure A: $950M Bond
      • Measure B: VTA Sales Tax
      • Measure F: San Jose Pension Agreement
      • Measure U: San Benito $60M Bond
      • Measure X: San Jose-Evergreen $748M Bond
      • Measure Y: San Jose Unified $72 parcel tax
      • Measure Z: East Side Union High $510M Bond
      • Measure AA: Campbell Union High $275M Bond
      • Measure BB: Sunnyvale School $59 parcel tax
      • Measure CC: Campbell Union $72M Bond
      • Measure EE: Oak Grove School $132 parcel tax
      • Measure GG: Los Altos $223 parcel tax
      • Measure HH: Franklin-McKinley $72 parcel tax
      • Proposition 51
    • May 2020 Special Election - Santa Clara
      • Measure A - Palo Alto Unified School District Parcel Tax
    • May 2019 Election
      • Measure A
    • November 2018 Elections - Santa Clara
      • Argument Against Measure A
      • Argument Against Measure D
      • Argument Against Measure E
      • Argument Against Measure K
      • Argument Against Measure H
      • Argument Against Measure R
      • Argument Against Measure T
      • Argument Against Measure V
      • Argument Against Measure Z
      • Argument Against Measure X
      • Argument Against Measure W
      • Argument Against Measure AA
      • Argument Against Measure BB
      • Argument Against Measure BB
      • Argument Against Measure GG
      • Argument Against Measure JJ
    • November 2018 Elections - San Mateo
      • Argument Against Measure V
      • Argument Against Measure X
      • Argument Against Measure Y
      • Argument Against Measure FF
      • Argument Against Measure KK
      • Argument Against Measure PP
      • Argument Against Measure QQ
      • Argument Against Measure TT
      • Argument Against Measure VV
    • 2017 Elections
      • Petition to Repeal the Gas Tax
      • No on Measure I
      • No on Measure F - Atherton Parcel Tax
      • March 7, 2017 Mail Ballot - Santa Clara County
        • Ballot Argument Against Lakeside School District $647 Parcel Tax
      • March 7, 2017 Mail Ballot - San Mateo County
        • Ballot Argument Against San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District Parcel Tax
    • Elections June 2016
      • Measure AA - SF Bay $12 Parcel Tax
      • Measure B - San Jose Sales Tax
      • Measure D - Pacifica Parcel Tax
      • Measure E - Gilory Unified School District Bond
      • Measure E - Pacifica Parcel Tax
      • Measure G - Moreland School District Parcel Tax
      • Measure H - Franklin-McKinnley School Bond
      • Measure H - Ravenswood Bond Measure
      • Measure I - Alum Rock Bond
      • Measure J - Lakeview School District
      • 2015 Elections
        • Santa Clara & San Mateo Ballot - November 3, 2015
        • Los Altos $65M Bond Measure A
        • Union Elementary School District $95 Parcel Tax
        • Redwood City Elementary School District $193M Bond
        • City of San Mateo .25% Sales Tax
        • San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District $148M Bond
        • San Carlos $45M Bond
      • 2014 Elections - November
        • Palo Alto TOT Argument Against Measure B
        • Palo Alto Utility Tax – Measure C
        • Gilroy Sales Tax Argument Against Measure F
        • Santa Clara Unified School District $419,000,000 Bond Issue: Measure H_
        • East Side Union High School District $113.200,000 Bond Issue: Measure I_
        • Fremont Union High School District Parcel Tax - Measure J
        • Fremont Union High School District $295,000,000 Bond Issue: Measure K_
        • Berryessa Union School District $77M Bond Measure L
        • Evergreen School District $100,000,000 Bond Issue: Measure M
        • Los Altos School District – Argument Against $150 Bond Measure N
        • Alum Rock Union Elementary School District Parcel Tax - Measure O
        • Oak Grove Elementary School District $89,800,000 Bond Issue: Measure P_
        • Measure Q: Santa Clara Open Space Authority - $24 parcel tax
      • San Mateo Ballot - November 4, 2014
        • Bayshore Elementary School District Parcel Tax – Measure K
        • Belmont Redwood Shores School District $48,000,000 Bond Issue: Measure I
        • Burlingame Elementary School District $256 parcel tax
        • Jefferson Union High School District $133,000,000 Bond Issue: Measure J
        • San Mateo Community College District $388,000,000 Bond Issue: Measure H
        • South San Francisco .5% Sales Tax
      • ELECTION 2014 - June 3, San Benito County ballot measures
        • Measure F –San Benito County (June 3, 2014)
        • Measure G – San Benito County (June 3, 2014)
      • ELECTION 2014 - June 3, San Mateo County ballot measures
        • Measure A – Sequoia Union High $265 million Bond (June 3, 2014)
        • Measure B – Cabrillo Unified School District (June 3, 2014)
        • Measure C – Bayshore Elementary School District (June 3, 2014)
        • Measure D – Woodside Elementary School District (June 3, 2014)
      • ELECTION 2014 - June 3, Santa Clara County ballot measures
        • Measure AA – Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (June 3, 2014)
        • Measure B – City of San Jose Library Funding (June 3, 2014)
        • Measure C – Santa Clara County (June 3, 2014)
        • Measure E – Santa Clara County (June 3, 2014)
        • Measure G – Santa Clara County (June 3, 2014)
        • Measure H – Santa Clara County (June 3, 2014)
        • Measure I – Santa Clara County (June 3, 2014)
        • Measure J – Santa Clara County (June 3, 2014)
        • Measure K – Santa Clara County (June 3, 2014)
        • Measure AA – Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (June 3, 2014)
      • Election 2013
        • Measure O – Portola Valley School District Parcel Tax (May 7, 2013)
      • 2012 STATEWIDE: No on Calif. Prop. 30: Sales Tax Hike
      • No on Proposition 30: Statewide Sales Tax Increase (SMC)
      • (delete) Statewide: No on Proposition 30: Statewide Sales Tax Increase (SCC)
      • 2012 STATEWIDE: Yes on Proposition 32: Corporate Funding of Political Campaigns
        • Proposition 32 in the News
        • Prop. 32: Contributions by our Opposition
      • 2012 STATEWIDE: No on Proposition 38: Tax to Fund Education & Early Childhood Programs (SCC)
      • (delete) Statewide: No on Proposition 38: Tax to Fund Education and Early Childhood Programs (SCC)
      • ELECTION 2012 - November 6, San Mateo County ballot measures
        • Measure A - San Mateo County Sales Tax (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure D – Burlingame School District (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure E – Jefferson Union High School District (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure G - San Bruno Park School District $199 Parcel Tax (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure H – San Carlos School District (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure I – Jefferson Elementary School District (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure J – Half Moon Bay Transaction (Sales) & Use Tax (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure K – Menlo Park Transient Occupancy (Hotel) Tax (Nov. 6, 2012)
        • Measure O - Portola Valley School District Parcel Tax (May 2013)
      • ELECTION 2012 - November 6, Santa Clara County ballot measures
        • Measure A - Santa Clara County Sales Tax (approx 1/2 billion dollars)
          • (delete)Measure A - Santa Clara County Sales Tax (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure A - Santa Clara County Sales Tax (approx. half a billion dollars)
        • (delete)Measure B - Santa Clara Valley Water District (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure B - Santa Clara Valley Water District (Nov. 2012)
        • (delete)Measure D - San Jose Minimum Wages (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure D - San Jose Minimum Wages (Nov. 2012)
        • (delete)Measure G – Morgan Hill Unified School District (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure G – Morgan Hill Unified School District (Nov. 2012)
        • (delete)Measure H – San Jose Unified School District (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure H – San Jose Unified School District (Nov. 2012)
        • (delete)Measure I – East Side Union High School District (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure I – East Side Union High School District (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure J – Alum Rock Union Elementary School District (Nov. 2012)
        • (delete)Measure J – Alum Rock Union Elementary School District (Nov. 2012)
        • (delete)Measure K - Berryessa Union School District (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure K - Berryessa Union School District (Nov. 2012)
        • (DELETE)Measure L – Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District (Nov. 2012)
        • Measure L – Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District (Nov. 2012)
      • 2012 Candidate Endorsements, Santa Clara County
      • 2012 Candidate Endorsements, San Mateo County
      • Ballot Measures - San Mateo County - November 2012
      • ELECTION 2012: June
      • ELECTION 2010: Results
        • SCHD - Thanks for vote (yes)
        • Measure N – La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District (May 7, 2013) (reg voters)
        • Measure O – Portola Valley School District Parcel Tax (May 7, 2013) (reg voters)
      • June 7, 2016 Primary Elections
  • Issues
    • Breaking Bad California
    • Q&A: How to apply for $597 exemption in the Los Altos School District
    • School Enrollment Declining on Peninsula
    • Minimum Wage: Economic Boom or Bust?
    • California sky-high income tax problem
    • Who Pays?
    • Disband the Sequoia Health Care District. Education First!
    • Open-Space Tax Ruled Illegal
    • Why California Is Bankrupt
    • No-bid practice for funding school projects found illegal
  • Events
  • Press Room
    • Tax groups sue SJ over gun insurance law
    • More than 20 measures headed to the Voters in Santa Clara County
    • SVTA press coverage - December, 2012
      • School Board sues ex-superintendent over condo loan [SJ Mercury News 12/12/12]
    • SVTA press coverage - November, 2012
      • Santa Clara County voters embrace Measure A sales tax [SJ Mercury News 11/7/12]
      • Santa Clara County $548 million parcel tax approved [SJ Mercury News, 11/7/12]
      • Minimum wage hike would destroy SJ jobs [SJ Mercury News 11/5/12]
      • Cal reaches out to low-income high school students [ABC 7 KGO TV; 11/2/12]
    • SVTA press coverage - October, 2012
      • Voters Decide How Much to Pay [Wall Street Journal; 10/31/12]
      • Facing deficit, Menlo Park counts on hotel tax—before vote [Peninsula Press; 10/27/12]
      • Prop 32 promises campaign finance reform, but is there a catch? [Santa Cruz Good Times, 10/23/12]
      • Press Release: Stop tax increases & special interests’ domination of Calif. in Nov - 10/12/12]
      • Santa Clara County tries again for a sales tax [SJ Mercury News, 10/7/12]
    • SVTA press coverage - September, 2012
      • Water district tax proposal support by Saratoga council [Saratoga News; 9/25/12]
      • Voters asked to approve sales tax increase; 9/24/12
      • Ex-South Bay Superintendent Looks At Unloading Condo To Taxpayers [CBS-5 TV; 9/19/12]
      • Taxpayer group sues SCVWD over proposed parcel tax [SJ Mercury News; 9/8/12]
    • SVTA press coverage - March, 2013
      • SJ council votes to explore new road taxes [SJ Mercury News 3/6/13]
      • SC County Officials Stand By Decision to Fund Gun Buyback [Palo Alto Patch 3/5/13]
      • SCC judge allows Water Dist's $543 million tax, despite tech glitches [Inside Bay Area 3/4/13]
      • Hundreds of Weapons Collected in County Gun Buyback [Los Gatos Patch 3/3/13]
    • SVTA press coverage - August, 2012
      • Taxpayer group threatens to sue water district [Mountain View Voice; 8/31/12]
      • Hotel tax: Menlo Park challenges ballot language [The Almanac; 8/30/12]]
      • Not again: error found in SCVWD proposed $548 million parcel tax [SJ Mercury; 8/28/12]
      • SCVWD cuts idea for lifetime medical benefits for board members [SJ Mercury News; 8/28/12]
      • Internal Affairs: Something overlooked amid SCC counsel's leadership shuffle? [SJ Mercury; 8/26/12]
      • Appellate Court declines SCC taxpayers' suit to stop tax measure [SJ Mercury, 8/24/12]
      • SVTA takes on SC County, water district [SJ Mercury; 8/21/12]
      • Two-word error may cost SC water district $548 million [YAHOO! NEWS; 8/21/12]
      • 2-word ballot mistake could endanger $548m tax bid [Sac'to Bee; 8/20/12]
      • Two-word error could cost SCV Water District [SJ Mercury News, 8/19/12]
      • Reimb or gouging? SV agencies ask repayment for open meetings law compliance [SJ Merc News; 8/17/12]
      • Taxpayer group: SC County sales tax measure is illegal [SJ Mercury News, 8/15/12]
    • SVTA press coverage - June, 2012
      • SC County sup'rs push sales tax for Nov ballot [SJ Mercury News; 6/26/12]
      • SJ proposes half-cent sales tax [SJ Mercury News; 6/26/12]
    • Nine Bay Area Counites $12 Parcel Tax Proposal
    • Prop. 22 limits on state raids is hotly disputed [Oakland Tribune; 10/18/10]
    • SVTA press coverage - October, 2010
    • Palo Alto Utility Tax: Measure B
    • SVTA Recommendations for November 4th Santa Clara Ballot
    • SVTA Recommendations for November 4th San Mateo Ballot
    • August 28, 2014 Press Coverage
    • July 19, 2014: Open Space Parcel Tax Heading to November ballot
  • Member Application / Renewal
  • What's Up in Local Government?
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      • Town of Atherton
      • City of Half Moon Bay
      • City of Menlo Park
      • Redwood City
    • County of Santa Clara
      • City of Cupertino
      • City of Milpitas
      • City of Palo Alto
      • City of San Jose
      • City of Saratoga
      • City of Sunnyvale
  • Committee charter documents
  • Contribute
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Our 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!

In the News

Tax groups sue San Jose over gun insurance law

Silicon Valley Business Journal, March 17, 2022
Read the full article here.

Election Day Voter Guide

We recommend a NO vote on the following June 7, 2022 Mail Ballot measures:

Santa Clara County

MEASURE A - Ordinance Amendment - Majority Vote

Shall the measure amending the Santa Clara Valley Water District Ordinance 11-01 to limit Board members to four successive four-year terms be adopted?

City of San Jose - MEASURE B - Charter Amendment - Majority Vote

To increase voter participation, shall the City Charter be amended to: (1) move the election for the Office of Mayor to the same year as presidential elections beginning in 2024, and (2) limit the person elected to the Office of Mayor in 2022 to a two-year term with the option to run for and serve as Mayor for two additional successive four-year terms?

Milpitas Unified School District - MEASURE E - Parcel Tax -2/3 Vote

To renew, without increasing, expiring local school funding that cannot be taken by the State; maintain core academic programs in science, technology, engineering, arts, athletics and math; attract/retain highly qualified educators, and prepare students for college and the workforce, shall Milpitas Unified School District’s measure be adopted renewing its existing $84 annual parcel tax, providing approximately $1,600,000 annually for eight years, with senior exemptions, independent oversight, no funds for administrator salaries, and all funds benefiting local students?

Fremont Union High School District - MEASURE G - School Bonds -55% Vote

To upgrade classrooms, science labs, and facilities for technology, arts, math, and career technical education; improve ventilation systems; provide essential seismic safety and accessibility upgrades; and, construct and repair sites and facilities, shall the measure authorizing $275 million in Fremont Union High School District bonds at legal rates, raising an estimated $18.2 million annually until approximately 2052, at projected rates of 1.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, with citizen's oversight and all funds staying local, be adopted?

Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District -  MEASURE H - Parcel Tax -2/3 Vote

Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District Quality Education Renewal Measure. To maintain strong core academic programs, including math and science, attract/retain qualified teachers, provide current educational materials, protect art, music, reading and writing programs/access to technology training, keep libraries open, shall Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District’s measure renewing without increasing its expiring $95 annual parcel tax for seven years, be approved, raising $480,000 annually which cannot be taken by the State, with exemptions for seniors, audits, independent oversight, no funds for administrators?

Alum Rock Union School District - MEASURE I Parcel Tax 2/3 Vote

Without increasing current rates, to help protect schools from budget cuts, to continue improving local elementary/middle schools by protecting reading, writing, math, science, technology and arts/music, recruiting/retaining qualified teachers and counselors, extending student support, shall Alum Rock Union Elementary School District’s measure renewing its existing $214.10 parcel tax for 7 years, adjusted annually, providing $4,500,000 yearly, be adopted, with senior exemptions, independent citizens oversight, no funds for administrator salaries, and all funds staying local to benefit students?


San Mateo County

San Mateo Republican Party County Central Committee endorsed a unanimous NO vote on all six measures below:

Hillsborough City School District - Measure H - Bond 55% Vote to pass

  • $140,000,000 debt – plus 30-40 years of interest expenses
  • Enrollment down 1,290 since 2016
  • Spending per student = $25,510 (189% above statewide average)

Millbrae Elementary School District - Measure E - Bond 55% Vote  <<DEFEATED>>

  • $90,000,000 debt - plus 30-40 years of interest expenses
  • Enrollment down 9.4%
  • Bond money to be spent on technology to be obsolete in 4-6 years

Belmont-Redwood Shores School District - Measure C - Parcel tax 2/3 Vote

  • $292 “temporary” per year parcel tax for 10 years
  • 80.19% met academic standards for English
  • 74.65% met academic standards for math
  • Two bonds totaling $60,000,000 already on the books
  • Parcel taxes rise each year – adjusted for inflation 3% annually

Jefferson Elementary School District - Measure J - Bond 55% Vote

  • $45,000,000 debt – plus 30-40 years of interest expenses
  • Enrollment down 374 students, but they want to build new classrooms
  • 2012 & 2018 bonds totaling $107,500,000 already passed
  • 52.21% behind grade level in English, 62.16% behind grade level in math

Brisbane School District - Measure G - Parcel tax 2/3 Vote

  • $131 “temporary” parcel tax for 6 years – total cost = $786
  • Spending = $19,879 per student per year – 151% of statewide average
  • 36.16% behind grade level in English, 46.12% behind in math

Ravenswood City School District - Measure I - Bond 55% Vote

  • $110,000,000 debt – plus 30-40 years of interest expenses
  • Bond money to be spent on technology to be obsolete in 4-6 years
  • Enrollment down 789 students, but they want to build new classrooms

The California State Government budget surplus may be as high as $97.5 billion. Thus, there is no reason for a tax increase for any school district in the state.


We are pleased to report...

...In 2020 the SVTA defeated 9 of 17 ballot measures that were tax increase measures.

...in savings to Santa Clara County taxpayers--and counting!

...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 in the city of Morgan Hill (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.


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