How I’m voting for the environment in the Nov. 4, 2008 election.

Measure SM would basically update our 10% Utility Users Tax on phone services to take new techy developments into account. The update would close weird loopholes that let random people escape this tax, as well as take out references to the Federal Excise Tax, which was repealed 2 years ago. The 10% tax rate itself would not change.

Pretty much everyone supports Measure SM, including Santa Monica for Renters Rights, Santa Monica Democratic Club, and Santa Monica police and firefighters.

Opposing arguments in the voters’ guide are written by 5 random people, ranging from a “Santa Monica Tenant” to a “Santa Monica Homeowner,” who say that Measure SM will tax iTunes and other services — despite the fact that the city attorney’s impartial analysis specifically states “an exemption from tax for digital downloads, such as music, ringtones, games, and similar digital products.”

Vote yes on Measure SM.

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