The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on Initiatives, Finances

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from John N. Howe:

The present Council and City Manager has reduced over the past two years the annual deficit from $14 million to $1.7 million this year. The Business License tax has remained the same for over 30 years. Our TOT tax is one of the lowest in the County. Without the increases we will need to cut essential City services. The tax increases have been broadly supported by the business community, and they have the support of the Chamber of Commerce.

Answer from Nancy Smith:

The city of Sunnyvale continues to run a deficit that risks our ability to provide essential services to residents. Two years ago, in the midst of a budget deficit, the city council voted against putting these tax revenue initiatives on the ballot. This year, with the city still running a deficit, the council voted to place the tax initiatives, the transit occupancy tax and the business license tax, on the ballot.

I support these initiatives to raise the transit occupancy tax and the business license tax. These taxes will bring in badly needed revenue to our city, while the rates will be kept low enough to keep us competitive with neighboring cities.

If we don't pass these tax measures, we risk having to make further cuts in city services. That's why I support these initiatives.

Answer from John N. Howe:

Over the past two budget years the City has increased efficiency. The deficit has been reduced from $14 million per year to $1.7 per year without large cuts in City services. The 2005-2006 budget is again balanced.

Answer from Nancy Smith:

The city's deficit has increased by millions of dollars over the last four years. Fiscal responsibility is a key issue for Sunnyvale.

Although there is not a simple answer to balancing the budget, there are responsible ways to increase revenue and reduce expenses. Working together, we can strive to increase sales tax revenue. If the voters of Sunnyvale decide to increase the transit occupancy tax and the business license tax, that will also bring in revenue to our city.

On the side of reducing expenses, we must strive to make essential city services cost-effective. Every tax dollar received by the city must be well-spent. We can look at reducing expensive perks offered to some retiring councilmembers, such as free life-time health insurance. The tax payers of Sunnyvale deserve to see their dollars at work in the city, not squandered away.

It is my strong desire to restore fiscal responsibility to the city of Sunnyvale. To accomplish this, we can put all options on the table and decide what works best for us as a city and community.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.