☆ Opinion: why Santa Clara County deserves real solutions, not another tax
Santa Clara County Assessor candidate Bryan Do says that when the government faces a budget shortfall, the easy answer is almost always the same: raise taxes. Measure A, the County’s proposed 5/8-cent sales tax increase, is exactly that kind of “easy answer.” But just because it’s easy, says the East Side Union High Trustee, doesn’t make it right. An Opportunity Now exclusive op/ed.
There’s no question that federal budget cuts have created challenges for Santa Clara County. We all want to ensure our hospitals and safety-net services remain strong. However, Measure A is a general tax — not one dedicated specifically to hospitals or medical services — which means the County Supervisors can spend on other county services.
A Regressive Tax That Hurts Those Who Can Least Afford It
Measure A would raise the County’s sales-tax rate by 0.625%, generating roughly $330 million per year. At first glance, that might not sound like much, but in practice, it’s one of the most regressive ways to raise revenue. Every time you buy supplies or household necessities, you’ll pay more — regardless of your income. It’s estimated that the average person in Santa Clara County already pays about $1,700 per year in sales tax, and Measure A would add another $113 to that amount.
At East Side Union High School District, many of our classified employees earn just over $20 per hour while doing some of the toughest and most demanding jobs. That extra $113 could mean the difference between paying the bills and putting food on the table. They’re not alone — many families in San José and across our county face similar challenges.
Santa Clara County already has one of the highest combined sales-tax rates in California. Measure A would push many cities beyond 10%, punishing the very families we aim to help. This sales tax comes on top of existing property taxes, parcel taxes, special levies for county-employee pensions, and payments for affordable-housing and hospital-improvement bonds — as well as other local obligations, including school-related bonds, etc.
Moreover, Santa Clara County will likely face a new regional transportation tax on the November 2026 ballot, following SB 63. If approved, this would add another half-cent sales tax to fund regional transit systems like Caltrain and BART, along with local agencies such as VTA.
Homeowners will pay these taxes directly, but renters won’t be spared — many property owners will likely pass the added costs along through higher rents. All of this will only worsen the already high cost of living for working families throughout our county.
We Don’t Have a Revenue Problem — We Have a Spending Problem
Before asking taxpayers for more, the County must take a harder look at how it manages the billions it already collects. Santa Clara County’s annual budget exceeds $12 billion (currently estimated at $12.9 billion). The problem isn’t a lack of money — it’s a lack of focus and priorities.
Even before the recent federal cuts, County departments were expanding payrolls and increasing administrative overhead faster than population growth. Those costs crowd out direct services — the very programs Measure A is supposed to “save.” Instead of reaching deeper into residents’ pockets, we should demand better fiscal management, independent audits of existing programs, and real transparency in how public dollars are spent.
Adding yet another tax will only harm the very families we’re trying to help and further erode public trust.
Fiscal Responsibility Builds Solvency — Not Temporary Taxes
Raising the sales tax isn’t a long-term solution. There’s only so much we can levy on the public before Santa Clara County becomes unaffordable for working families. True solvency requires structural reform — reducing administrative duplication, modernizing systems, auditing inefficiencies, and setting clear priorities and performance benchmarks for departments.
Our County can maintain fiscal stability without balancing its books on the backs of working families. A “temporary” tax that inevitably becomes permanent is no substitute for responsible leadership.
Building Responsiveness and Resilience — Without Increasing Expenses
During my five years on the Governing Board of the East Side Union High School District, our district has become more responsive to students, families, and the community — all while reducing operating expenses through greater efficiency. Last year, I strongly advocated for senior exemptions under Measure N, while continuing to push for prudent reductions in expenditures. This year, we’re preparing to make further cuts to remain fiscally responsible — without closing schools. I urge Santa Clara County to make similarly tough but necessary decisions, just as we have done and will continue to do for the greater good.
A Vote for “No” Is a Vote for Accountability
When voters reject Measure A, we’re not rejecting healthcare or compassion — we’re demanding accountability. We’re saying it’s time for Santa Clara County to innovate, prioritize, and manage within its means. The path forward isn’t higher taxes — it’s smarter government.
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