☆ Esteves: Kumar's tax reform ideas are a breath of fresh air, and are miles away from being controversial
County Assessor finalist Rishi Kumar has elevated the cause of relief for tax-burdened Santa Clara County residents in his campaign. He advocates for property tax exemptions for seniors as a key part of his candidacy. The local county tax-and-spend cabal, however, is clutching their pearls over his reform ideas, arguing--dubiously--that the county assessor should just be a faceless spreadsheet jockey, and not work for county taxpayers. Jose Esteves, former Milpitas mayor, sets the record straight and highlights how Kumar's tax reform advocacy is on target and sorely needed.
Jose Esteves, former Milpitas mayor:
Rishi Kumar's is doing all of Santa Clara County a great service by elevating innovtative Tax Reform ideas as part of his successful run for County Assessor. He has my thanks and support. The arguments against Kumar's inclusion of his advocacy for sorely needed tax relief are unserious and deceptive.
On the contrary, Kumar's expansive view of his role as Assessor is relevant, appropriate, and a breath of fresh air.
Here's why:
The county assessor should be a leader on tax issues for the county residents.
There is simply no other position in our government structure which effects all taxpayers across the county. None. As a result, the Assessor is in the best position to speak for all residents regarding their overall tax burden, and provide appropriate advocacy at all levels of government,. The truth is that county assessors across the country are taking the lead on tax reform and there's no reason Santa Clara County should be stuck in 1990.
It is a time-honored--and essential-- tradition for politicians to campaign on issues for which they are not directly responsible.
Campaigns exist for voters to get to know candidates' broad perspective on a wide range of issues. This is why we have parties. This is why candidates endorse other candidates. This is why Larry Stone, as assessor, aggressively advocated for the misguided Prop 19 and other statewide initiatives as Assessor. To suggest that it's fine for other County officials to take positions on national and state legislation (which they do all the time), but that the Assessor can't advocate for a tax issue is upside down thinking.
Fixing our excessive tax burden is the most important thing local governments can do to make living here more affordable.
Going away, the #1 issue for residents of every city and neighborhood in Santa Clara County is affordability. After the passage of Measure A, many cities have a sales tax rate north of 10%. Tax reform and tax relief should be Job 1 for every local official, not something that should be deflected onto another official in another role. Rishi Kumar's tax reform focus is entirely appropriate and welcome; and the opposition to his campaign simply reveals that status quo politicians are out of touch with the concerns of residents in Santa Clara County--or--worse yet--simply don't want any obstacles to their continued tax assault on resident's wallets.
--Jose Esteves, former Milpitas Mayor
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