For the past two decades, our city has done little more than tax us. Despite these taxes, we’ve seen a bloated pension plan, an increase in crime and drugs, and businesses leaving our community—except for liquor stores, massage parlors, and dispensaries. Do we feel safer? We don’t, yet the city continues to demand more and more of our hard-earned money.
El Cerrito’s Measure G is a prime example of this. Measure G seeks to extend the current 1% Measure R sales tax hike, set to expire in March 2027, into perpetuity. A permanent sales tax hike would create significant obstacles for citizens wanting to repeal it later on. There would be no straightforward way for voters to demand city officials place a repeal on the ballot. In other words, approving this tax now is not urgent, as the current Measure R won’t expire until March 31, 2027.
Consider this: with a sales tax rate of 10.25%, El Cerrito already has the highest rate in Contra Costa County and is among the top ten state-wide. Despite this excess revenue, city leaders have failed to manage the city’s finances effectively. This is why the State Auditor designated El Cerrito as a high-risk local government. The City Council has shown no inclination, desire, or ability to tighten the budget and roll back some of the bloated bureaucracy. For a city of just 26,000 people, we have some 14 commissions and committees, all staffed with city employees.
Before placing this permanent tax extension on the ballot, the City spent $36,500 of our tax dollars on a feasibility study conducted by Godbe Research to test how far voters would be willing to extend the sales tax. According to city officials, market research showed that voters preferred “until voters end it.” But here’s the kicker—the city won’t allow the public to review this research. Council members have discounted concerns that poll participants did not understand that “until voters end it” likely means the tax could become permanent. Most citizens are unaware of the significant process required to end the tax once it’s in place.
This situation is nothing short of a scare tactic designed to coerce support for the Measure G forever tax. Voting No on Measure G will force the city to add a sunset date, ensuring that this tax doesn’t become a permanent fixture in our lives without a proper review.
Don’t let the city scare us into supporting this measure. Protect our wallets and vote No on Measure G.
For more information, visit the official site here.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 