League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 8, 2005 Election
	Nancy Smith Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Sunnyvale; Seat 3

Questions & Answers

1. What is your position on the initiatives that are before the voters?

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.

2. Where do you see the money coming from to run the city?

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.