Clear thinking on taxes, ascendant
Yesterday’s split City Council vote (6-4 opposing the 2/3-voter requirement for new local taxes in Prop 43) shows that more and more SJ city councilmembers are uncomfortable coercing their over-taxed constituents to sign up for even more new levies.
CM George Casey: City should back off making so many endorsements
"There is an important difference between saying here is how this measure will affect the city of San Jose, and saying the city of San Jose supports or opposes this measure.
"The first informs our constituents. The second can create the impression that we're speaking for them. And in November, San Jose voters may reach a different conclusion than this council does. If they do, what exactly will today's vote have accomplished? We may simply have created another data point showing that the institutional position of City Hall did not reflect the position of the people we represent."
--District 10 CM George Casey
View CM Casey’s comment here.
CM Doan: Retroactive concerns addressed
"Governor Newsom created a compromise on Prop 43 to address the issue…of retroactively decertifying past election[s] and removing revenue like Measure E. This will not happen with this new Proposition 43. All taxes are locked in their original terms. This only impacts future taxes.
"Tell me, when's the last time a citizens’ initiative didn’t involve some type of politician or special interest? Please, we're all in the same political arena, and we know there are always special interests."
--District 7 CM Bien Doan
View CM Doan’s comment here.
Candidate Pefley: What does SJ City Council have up their sleeves?
"The San Jose City Council voted today to oppose several statewide propositions and honestly, why are they sticking their fingers on the scale of issues that have nothing to do with city governance? Their opposition to Prop 43, which would require two‑thirds voter approval for any tax increase and close the 51% “citizen initiative” loophole, makes you wonder what they’ve got up their sleeves. They clearly prefer the lower threshold that makes tax hikes easier to pass.
"Huge credit to Councilmember George Casey, who forcefully argued that the council shouldn’t be steering voters at all. Residents can read the ballot and decide for themselves without political nudging from City Hall. But alas, they couldn't resist the opportunity to coax voters into voting how they want them to as they did in last years special election with Measure A and Proposition 50."
--Carol Pefley is a candidate for CA Assembly District 28.
{Editor's note CM's Foley and Mulcahy, previous supporters of tax-increasing measures, switched sides and chose not to oppose the final Prop 43 ballot version.}
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