Californians split over sales tax

Californians around the state were asked to approve or reject proposed sales tax rate increases during the November 6, 2016 election. They were of a split mind.

Approved

• Isleton (Sacramento County) voters approved Measure B, which increases the city sales and use tax rate by 0.5% for five years, beginning October 1, 2016. Revenue will fund fire protection services.

• Long Beach (Los Angeles County) voters approved the sales and use tax proposed in Measure A. The rate increases by 1% for a period of six years, beginning January 1, 2017, and then declines to a 0.5% rate increase for an additional four years.

• Marysville (Yuba County) voters approved the additional 1% general purpose sales and use tax proposed in Measure C. It is set to expire October 31, 20126.

• Pittsburg (Contra Costa County) voters approved the extension of the city’s 0.5% local general sales tax until 2035 (Measure M).

• San Jose (Santa Clara County) voters approved Measure B, which enacts a 0.25% sales tax for 15 years. Funds will be used to improve police response and expand gang prevention, make improvements to city streets, improve 911 emergency services, and maintain the city’s long-term financial stability. The rate increase will take effect October 1, 2016 and expire September 30, 2031, unless extended by voter approval.

Too close to call

• A majority of Kings County voters voted in favor of Measure K, which seeks to enact a 0.25% sales and use tax to fund the police and fire departments of the county and its four cities. As of this writing, however, it is uncertain if the measure will obtain the two-thirds supermajority it needs to pass. If enacted, it is set to take effect January 1, 2017, unless the state extends the 0.25% Proposition 30 sales tax January 1, 2017.

Defeated

• Compton (Los Angeles County) Measure P needed a two-thirds supermajority to pass, but a majority of voters have rejected the proposed 1% sales tax increase.

• Hemet (Riverside County) voters rejected Measure E, which sought to impose an additional sales tax of 1% to generate revenue for police and fire protection services.

• Kern County voters rejected an additional sales tax of 0.125%, which would have raised revenue for library services (Measure F).

• Napa County rejected the 0.25% sales tax rate increase proposed in Measure Y.

• San Benito County voters rejected a proposed additional 0.5% county sales tax (Measure P).

• A slim majority of Siskiyou County voters approved Measure S, which sought to increase the county sales tax by 0.5% to fund a construction loan for a new jail. However, the measure required a two-thirds supermajority vote to pass.

• Solano County voters rejected a proposed 0.5% sales tax (Measure H).

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