Advises Nay Vote
For years, affordable housing has been acknowledged as one of Glendale’s more significant problems, but little progress toward even a partial solution has yet to materialize. The [proposed] Nov. 6 city sales tax increase measure is now, I fear, generating unrealistic hope that, at last, something meaningful will be accomplished. In truth, however, we really have no idea of how this tax money would actually be spent since, as I understand it, in order to qualify for a simple majority vote passage (as opposed to 2/3 majority) the law prohibits identifying on the ballot any specific uses for the funds raised. This sounds to me like writing a blank check.

While affordable housing is a noble objective, don’t count on much of the new tax revenue being channeled in that particular direction. The anticipated $30 million will simply disappear into the General Fund, and will be allocated to whatever financial issue is most pressing at a given time (which, with the possible exception of a token gesture now and then, will seldom be affordable housing). To those good folks seeking relief from burdensome housing costs, I say vote “no” on the sales tax issue because, if passed, it will merely increase by ¾% the purchase price of day-to-day goods and services for all of us, while doing little if anything about your larger concern.

Although I understand the “official” rationale behind the city’s race to enact a preemptive sales tax increase, I believe the real objective here is to nail down a steady stream of General Fund revenue which is unfettered by any restrictions on its use. Taxing for clearly specified purposes is an honorable approach, but that’s not what this appears to be.

Tax increases are usually forever and should not be entered into lightly. Vote “no.”
Tom Rutherford
Glendale

Comparison Sales Tax Rates
The base sales tax rate for the state of California is 6% plus a local rate of 1.25%, which equals 7.25%. The average sales tax rate for the whole state is 8.41%. Local added rates are between .15% and 3.0%. They can’t exceed 10.25% by law.

Some current city [tax] rates for comparison are: Bakersfield 7.25%; Anaheim 7.75%; San Diego 7.75%; Sacramento 8.25% and San Francisco 8.5%. Glendale is now 9.5% and, if passed, in November [it will be] 10.25%, the state maximum.

Having a retail business in Glendale, I am concerned on how an increase to 10.25% will affect other brick and mortar Glendale businesses. The Glendale City Council has very little sensitivity to the effects of high taxes on the business community, both in sales and fees.

The fact is high taxes affects sales and thus the health of the local business community. It also encourages sales outside the local community where taxes are less.

Regardless, brick and mortar business will survive no thanks to government. But it is time for the people to keep more of their hard earned money in their pockets or purses. By voting no [on] all tax issues we will stop government from senseless decisions and overspending. Government needs to run as the private sector or a taxpayer’s home.

Maybe in time we will get back our disappearing middle class. We will definitely have a better standard of living.
Ken Grayson, owner
Grayson’s Tune Town

Doubts Better Service Comes with Increased Tax
I respectfully take issue with Sharon and Bill Weisman’s letter supporting an increase of sales tax in the City of Glendale [Viewpoints, Aug. 16]. In my lifetime, the sales tax has doubled. But do we get twice as much service from our government? The answer is clearly “no.”

Often when government bureaucrats perceive a need for money, they immediately reach-out to the taxpayer. Unlike the government, when we (the taxpayer) run short of money, we must economize; this may include cutting back, budgeting and prioritizing. It is time for our government officials to adopt the same strategy.

If you spend any amount of time in almost any city, county, state or federal office, the rampant inefficiency and disrespect for the customers (taxpayers) is evident. Although Glendale is better than some, dollars spent on the “Welcome to Glendale” signs on Foothill Boulevard and the “gift” of millions of taxpayer dollars to downtown developers hold example. Other government debacles include the bullet train and the never-ending, under-budgeted and dangerous 210 Freeway rehabilitation.

Not a week goes by without the media reporting on another government scandal or waste of funds. For example, last week it was widely reported that the County is hoarding over 900 million mental health dollars that could be spent to help the homeless people (mentioned by Sharon and Bill).

Bill and Sharon believe that tax money is inequitably distributed. True and this needs to be rectified. I calculated our community received less than a 10% return on the Prop A taxes we paid. However, this is no justification for soaking our community with more taxes instead of addressing the real problem of tax money distribution.

The Weismans implied additional sales tax is needed because we cannot address the impending and ballooning costs of public employee salaries, benefits and retirement, as if they are set in stone. While we live with the present contracts until they term out, we need to draft a sustainable plan to pay for services. It must be fair to the employees, but doesn’t bankrupt the taxpayers.

The City needs better management, not additional money!

In the case of the Glendale sales tax, no specific need for the additional money or a spending plan has been identified. Will the money be spent wisely and/or for the public good?

Bill and Sharon state that it is our patriotic duty to support the additional sales tax. Factually, it’s our patriotic duty to hold our government accountable. In doing so, our government serves its constituents well and uses their hard-earned money wisely and efficiently.

I once heard a Glendale official refer to grant money as “free money.” Our money is hard-earned. Until our government becomes worthy of our money, we should vote “NO” on every additional tax.
Doug Kilpatrick
La Crescenta