Some parcel property tax increases were approved, and the outcomes on bond measures were mixed. Both hotly contested sales tax increase proposals in Sonoma County received more than a majority vote, but failed to garner two-thirds approval required for passage. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat noted the irony of the Sonoma County Taxpayers Association and conservative business and political leaders urging a tax increase and liberal environmentalists opposing the tax. Within a week of the election, Rohnert Park Council Member Jack Mackenzie proposed that Sonoma County put a measure on the November ballot to impose congestion impact fees on large companies when they expand their work forces. In Santa Barbara County, a 0.5 percent sales tax increase to fund a north county jail received only 38.9 percent of the vote.
People feel taxes are high enough, and California has a surplus of several billion dollars.
A review of election results indicates that, in general, most California voters are not interested in increasing taxes directly. Four of six local sales tax measures were defeated. The association also supported Proposition 28, opposed Proposition 20, and made no recommendation on the others.