How I’m voting for the environment on Feb. 5, 2008
My vote on Measure R: Yes
Well, the main pro-Measure R group, Campaign to Protect Quality Public Schools, gets the award for most mailers from one organization.
This measure is an annual parcel tax (a tax on property owners) that would supplement the operating budget of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. However, Measure R is not a new tax; it instead would replace two previous parcel taxes that are set to expire in the next few years.
Right now, Measure S charges property owners a flat $225 per parcel, and Measure Y charges roughly $121 per parcel with an annual Consumer Price Index increase. Combined, Measures S and Y brought in $10.4 million for the 2007-08 school year, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Measure R would replace Measures S and Y. If passed, Measure R would charge up to $346 per parcel, and could be adjusted yearly for inflation, bringing in an estimated $10 million annually. And unlike Measures S and Y, Measure R doesn’t have an expiration date.
No one denies the school needs funding. Then who are against it? While there’s some quibbling over the fact that Measure R has no expiration date, the main issue appears to be that some people in Malibu who feel that their schools are not getting a fair share are calling for a no vote to “teach Santa Monica a lesson.” These opponents claim that they’re not getting a fair portion of the money from Measure BB passed in 2006. So, their idea’s to kill Measure R — then put a similar one on the ballot before Measure S expires in 2009.
Basically, even the opponents are for having a parcel tax to fund our schools; they just want to stick it to Santa Monica once before getting one passed. This seems to me a ridiculous reason to vote against a measure that everyone agrees is necessary. The Santa Monica City Council endorsed Measure R, as has Malibu’s Mayor (the Malibu City Council’s split on the issue). The Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs also supports Measure R. I’m voting for.
February 4th, 2008 at 6:34 am
I had to do a double take to figure out what that mailer in the top right had pictured. I was trying to figure out why there was a picture of busty cleavage on a mailer for school funding…
February 4th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Clearly, my photography skills could use some fine tuning :P
February 4th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Very well said! This is in everyone’s best interest. Malibu is getting a great deal here, given the fact that it’s a per-parcel tax that’s not based on property value. If they were paying a different kind of tax, they’d be paying a lot more, given the high property values in Malibu. Malibu has benefitted tremendously from partnership with Santa Monica’s schools. Fortunately the mayor and many others up there understand that and are voting yes.