League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	San Mateo County, CA November 3, 2009 Election
	Measure L Sales Tax Proposal City of San Mateo Majority Approval Required Pass: 8,258 / 61.2% Yes votes ...... 5,227 / 38.8% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure L

Arguments Against Measure L

Save our Services! YES on L and M! The Legislature's decision to balance state finances on the backs of local governments is a threat to essential City services and our families. Amid the worst economic climate in a generation, our City employees and their families have voluntarily agreed to wage concessions and unpaid furlough days to help minimize the impact on local residents. The City has managed its finances wisely. Difficult cuts have been made. The only way to prevent long-term harm to our community is with a temporary revenue increase. WHAT'S AT RISK If Measure L fails, the only places remaining to cut are indispensable frontline services like police, fire, emergency medical services, street maintenance, libraries, and parks. All are at risk for deep cuts. Recreation programs for youth and seniors would face complete elimination or substantial reductions in hours. MEASURE L SUNSETS. IT IS NOT PERMANENT: 1/4 CENT IS A SMALL PRICE TO SAVE SERVICES Measure L temporarily increases the local sales tax by 1/4 penny to help the City weather the crisis. That means someone spending $100 would pay only 25 cents more. ALL REVENUE FROM INCREASE COMES TO THE CITY, NOT THE STATE If passed, 100% of the revenue from Measure L will be returned to the City's general fund to help save essential services. BALANCED SOLUTION TO BALANCE THE BUDGET The City Council has already approved $4 million in budget cuts. Combined with the proposed tax on hotel visitors, Measure L will result in an equal amount of new revenue to the City. That's the kind of balanced, thoughtful money management people expect from government. San Mateo firefighters, police officers, business owners, homeowners, and the entire City Council agree. Let's finish the job! Vote YES on L and M! /s/ Brandt Grotte, May, City of San Mateo /s/ Linda Asbury, President/CEO, San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce /s/ Matt Turturici, President, San Mateo Fire Fighters Association /s/ Rick Lenat, President, Library Board of Trustees /s/ Melodie Law, Former Chair, San Mateo City Senior Commission; Former Member, San Mateo-Foster City School Board; Member, San Mateo County Commission on Aging Rebuttal to Arguments For None Submitted

No one could have predicted that the second half of 2008 would see the economy collapsing, unemployment rising, and home prices dropping. That is, no one could have predicted the timing of the bubble bursting. A recession following a boom is as inevitable as a politician asking for a tax increase and proper financial planning would have left the city able to weather the storm without having to adjust spending at all. Eight years is too long. Even if saddling San Mateo residents who may already be struggling with layoffs and foreclosures with an additional expense were a good idea, eight years it not a temporary measure. Eight years ago we were in the midst of the dot-com collapse. Eight years from now today's high school freshmen will be done with college, will the city council finally have learned to spend within their means? Vote NO to more taxes. /s/ Kevin Dempsey Peterson, Treasurer, Libertarian Party of San Mateo County /s/ John J. Hickey Rebuttal to Arguments Against The two Libertarian Party politicians who oppose Measure L don't know our City or our track record. San Mateo has a history of making hard choices while providing residents with an opportunity to choose the quality of life they desire. The City prudently started imposing fiscal constraints and making significant budget cuts seven years ago - long before anyone was talking about a global recession. Since 2002, we cut City payroll by 100 positions. Four years ago, the City reduced ongoing operating expenses by 15%. This year we cut another $4 million with City employees taking furloughs and giving up compensation increases. Measure L is about choice for our residents. Before adopting the budget, the City Council surveyed residents to find out whether the shortfall should be solved by cuts alone or include tax revenue options. People overwhelmingly favored a balanced approach. Measure L has broad support. Homeowners, renters, businesses, Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike all support Measure L because it's a modest, fiscally responsible and temporary response to the current economic situation. A 1/4 cent is a small price to keep our community safe, keep libraries and fire stations open, keep recreation programs for seniors and youth operating, and ensure other services families depend on remain strong. Draconian cuts that would result from defeat of Measures L and M would put our community at risk today and put homeowners and residents at a disadvantage once the economy recovers. Cast your vote for a prudent balanced budget. YES on L and M! /s/ Brandt Grotte, Mayor, City of San Mateo /s/ Linda Asbury, President/CEO San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce /s/ Richard K. Decker, President, San Mateo Police Officers Association /s/ Andrew Martinez, District Vice President, San Mateo Firefighter Association /s/ Rick Lenat, President, San Mateo Library Board of Trustees