Source: http://votersedge.kpbs.org/ca/es/ballot/election/area/42/measures/measure/2389?election_authority_id=19
Timestamp: 2019-10-23 23:48:16
Document Index: 259647938

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 1', 'arts 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1']

Measure GSH - Elección General de California Ballot - Measures & Voter Guide - November 8, 2016
Measure GSH - Majority Approval Required
26,190 votos si (62.35%)
15,812 votos no (37.65%)
Transactions and Use Tax to Maintain and Improve Community Services
For a concise breakdown see the FAQ at the bottom of the page at: http://www.smvote.org/BallotMeasures/detail.aspx?id=53687094538
CITY ATTORNEY’S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE GSH
BALLOT MEASURE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCREASE THE TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX BY AN ADDITIONAL ONE-HALF PERCENT OF THE SALE PRICE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY
This measure proposes to raise local City of Santa Monica revenues by amending the Municipal Code to increase the City’s transactions and use tax by an additional 0.50%, from 0.50% to 1%, of the sales price of personal property.
This kind of tax is generally called a “sales” tax. However, it is a legally different tax that is collected along with sales taxes and administered by the State Board of Equalization. However, all revenues generated would be paid into the City’s general fund, and none would go to the state.
The increase in the City’s transactions and use tax would only apply to goods and services that are subject to the existing tax. Items exempt from the City’s transactions and use tax include, among other things, purchases of prescription medications and food store items. These would not be taxed. It is anticipated that the tax increase would raise approximately $16 Million annually. It would remain in effect until the voters decide to repeal or amend it.
The City Council voted by more than a two-thirds majority to approve the proposed increase to the existing transactions and use tax; but the tax increase can only go into effect if it is also approved by a majority of voters at the November 2016 election. The current transactions and use tax was approved by Santa Monica voters in 2010.
If the measure is passed by the voters, the services and programs that potentially could receive funding include, but are not limited to: education, afterschool programs, affordable housing, police, fire, paramedic and emergency 911 response, public transit, environmental and library services.
Accompanying the transactions and use tax measure is a non-binding advisory measure, asking voters for their preference on how the additional revenue should be used if the voters approve the measure. In particular, voters are asked whether, if the measure passes, their preference is for half of the additional revenues to be used to improve and maintain public schools, with remaining half to improve and maintain affordable housing, protect residents from displacement and reduce homelessness.
If the transactions and use tax increase passes, the City Council may be guided by the voter’s decision on the advisory question in deciding how to use the revenue. However, the City Council is not legally bound by the outcome of the vote on the advisory question. The City Council can use the revenue collected as a result of the measure for any lawful City purpose.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE GSH
Measure GSH will bring critically needed resources to protect renters, seniors andworking families from losing their homes and help keep our excellent schools strongand able to serve our community for years to come.
Every penny from Measure GSH will stay in Santa Monica and cannot be taken away by Sacramento.
Voting Yes on GSH is a vote to maintain and protect the quality of our local schools while also ensuring that rent burdened residents, often seniors, are able to age in place and providing local workers with homes near jobs, reducing local traffic.
Santa Monica had a proven, effective affordable housing program in place until Sacramento raided city budgets. Measure GSH will help offset those funding cuts and fund programs to provide stability for long-term residents.
Santa Monica has great schools, but State funding is unreliable and doesn’t provide adequate funds to maintain them.
Passage of Measure GSH will help our local schools attract high quality teachers, assist at-risk students, improve instruction in the arts, music, math, and science, and provide ongoing maintenance at our schools, reducing the cost of expensive repairs.
In addition, half of the funds from Measure GSH will be used for preserving existing buildings as affordable housing for current and future tenants, and for providing rental assistance and other affordable housing opportunities to low-income families and seniors.
Measure GSH is a half-cent sales tax -- paid largely by tourists and visitors -- to generate critically needed funds for City services, especially for our schools and for programs to keep low income rent-burdened Santa Monicans in their homes.
Measure GSH is supported by parents, grandparents, elected officials, civic leaders, and local business leaders who know that high-quality schools and a stable and diverse community are important.
Please vote Yes on Measure GSH.
/s/ Sarah Braff, President, Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association
/s/ Jennifer Smith, President, Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
/s/ Patricia Hoffman, Co-chair, Santa Monicans for Renters Rights
/s/ Barry Seid, District Coordinator, AARP
ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE GSH
Vote NO on tax increase measure GSH
Do you want MORE development in Santa Monica?
Do you want to GIVE DEVELOPERS YOUR MONEY to over build our city?
1. This is a sales tax slated to fuel and accelerate even more high density, multi-floor development.
2. This tax does not expire and thus insures development given extra height and density will continue forever, burdening infrastructure (exacerbating water and traffic problems), eroding quality of life and overcrowding schools.
3. You will have no say where these large, high-density projects will be built. The city has removed your right to review or protest all development funded by this tax.
4. New federal guidelines insure that projects must be placed in all areas of the city. Even Sunset Park and north of Montana will experience high-density development. All residential and all commercial property will be targeted for these large buildings that exceed normal zoning rules and are allowed reduced parking.
5. This tax amount is exorbitant and is a regressive tax on lower income residents. It will lead to higher housing costs, higher rents, and higher prices for nearly everything you buy.
6. This is yet another local increase to a sales tax voters approved in 2010. With additional County increases on this ballot; you will pay 10.5% - 11% on all purchases!
Measure GSH funds more development with your money.
Vote NO and save our city!
/s/ Roberto Rodriguez, Santa Monica Renter
/s/ Clara Benrey, Retired School Teacher
/s/ Donald Gray, Former Chair, Pico Neighborhood Assn.
/s/ Scott Kelso, Union Member
/s/ Robert Kronovet, Former Rent Board Commissioner
REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE GSH
Vote no on GSH! This is a Growth Stimulating Hormone plan to increase development!
This measure is an increase to a sales tax we just approved in 2010. City Hall wants even more money to spend for even more high-density development! The sales tax never expires guaranteeing over-development as our future!
This scheme is shocking for its audacity. This measure means that we not only suffer the development pain, but must shoulder the financial burden, as well.
Millions of dollars yearly will pour into the general fund. Behind closed doors the money will be given to the City’s favorite developers for more large, high-density projects that are ruining the low scale beach community we want Santa Monica to remain. To add insult to injury, Santa Monica residents do not have priority for the low-income housing!
Projects funded by this unprecedented tax are given extra height, density and lower parking requirements. Plus - there is no public review! You are powerless.
These high-density giants can be built next door to you … or on the corner … or down the block. You will live in shadow filled streets with no available parking.
If you care for the wonderful quality of life you enjoy and want to protect that environment Vote No on TAX Measure GSH. The Growth Stimulating Hormone Development Tax!
If you care that your tax dollars are spent to shape a better community and not an over-development nightmare Vote No on TAX Measure GSH.
REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE GSH
Arguments made by opponents of Measures GS & GSH are simply wrong.
Measures GS & GSH will accomplish two important goals: provide locally-controlled funds to keep our excellent schools strong, and protect proven, effective affordable housing programs needed by long-term residents, especially seniors and disabled persons.
If voters approve both Measures GS & GSH, half the funds will support local schools to improve instruction in math, science, music and the arts, support our great teachers, and maintain classrooms and schools.
The other half of funding from Measures GS/GSH will support long-term Santa Monica residents, who are at risk of losing their homes due to the rising cost of housing. Measures GS & GSH will also help enable working families to live closer to their jobs, reducing traffic.
Measure GSH will add just 50 cents to a $100 purchase, with groceries, medicine, gasoline and other essential items exempt.
Measures GS/GSH are SUPPORTED by teachers, school board members, and PTA leaders because they are essential to ensure our schools are not forced to cut academic programs and school building maintenance.
Measures GS/GSH are SUPPORTED by slow-growth champions, advocates for community preservation and renters’ rights, homeowners and local business owners who care about preserving neighborhoods and maintaining economic diversity in Santa Monica.
It’s ridiculous to say that Measures GS/GSH will increase development. They do notrelax zoning restrictions or development standards. That claim is false.
Measures GS/GSH will help ensure great schools and affordable housing.
/s/ Patricia Hoffman, Co-chair, Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR)
WHEREAS, all redevelopment agencies in California, including the Santa Monica Redevelopment Agency, were dissolved on February 1, 2012; and
WHEREAS, the Santa Monica Redevelopment Agency generated nearly $40 million per year that was used for Santa Monica community priorities such as seismic safety improvements to public buildings, affordable housing, and capital improvements; and
WHEREAS, the dissolution of the Santa Monica Redevelopment Agency severely diminished the funds available to address Santa Monica community priorities; and
WHEREAS, many residents live in the City of Santa Monica because the City invests in community priorities, offering extensive services and programs that substantially enhance quality of life; and
WHEREAS, residents depend upon the City to continue to protect their quality of life and effectuate community priorities, but with the loss of redevelopment funds, the City must seek other resources; and
WHEREAS, creating and preserving local revenue sources will help ensure that the City can maintain and improve the quality of life that residents expect and effectuate community priorities; and
WHEREAS, the City adopted a transaction and use tax ordinance on July 13, 2013, which authorized the City to impose a retail transaction and use tax in the amount of one-half of one percent of the gross receipts of any retailer from the sale of all tangible personal property sold at retail within the territory of the City; and
WHEREAS, increasing the City's transaction and use tax by one-half percent would partially fill the revenue gap left by the loss of redevelopment funds; and
WHEREAS, all City revenues are subject to annual independent audits with public review of the City Budget being widely available, including at City Hall, on-line and at the public libraries; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the provisions of California Revenue and Taxation Code Parts 1.6 and 1.7, Sections 7251 et seq. and Section 7285.9, the City of Santa Monica is authorized to enact a transaction and use tax; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica proposes to enact a one-half-percent increase in the transaction and use tax as permitted by law; and
WHEREAS, under applicable law, to enact a transaction and use tax, the City Council of the City of Santa Monica must adopt the transaction and use tax ordinance and the electorate of the City of Santa Monica must also adopt it upon majority vote at an election.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santa Monica does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 6.62 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code is amended to read as follows:
Section 6.62.010 TITLE
This ordinance shall be known as the City of Santa Monica Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance.
Section 6.62.020 DEFINITIONS
The following words and phrases shall be defined as set forth in this Ordinance, except that any term or phrase not defined in this Ordinance shall have the same meaning as that term or phrase is defined in Parts 1.6 and 1.7 of the State of California Revenue and Taxation Code:
(a) “City” means the City of Santa Monica
(b) “Operative date” means the first day of the first calendar quarter commencing more than 110 days after the adoption of this ordinance by vote of the electorate on November 2, 2010 8, 2016.
(c) “Ordinance” means the City of Santa Monica Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance.
(d) “State” means the State of California.
Section 6.62.030 PURPOSE
This Ordinance is adopted to achieve the following, among other purposes, and the Ordinance shall be interpreted liberally in order to accomplish all of its lawful purposes:
A. To impose a retail transactions and use tax to be applied throughout the entire territory of the City to the fullest extent permitted by law and in accordance with the provisions of the California Revenue and Taxation Code Sections 7251 et seq., and 7285.9, which authorizes the City to adopt this Ordinance if a majority of the electors voting on the measure vote to approve the imposition of the tax at an election called for that purpose.
B. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that incorporates provisions identical to those of the Sales and Use Tax Law of the State of California insofar as those provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements and limitations contained in Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
C. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that imposes a tax and provides a measure that can be administered and collected by the State Board of Equalization in a manner that adapts itself as fully as practicable to, and requires the least possible deviation from, the existing statutory and administrative procedures followed by the State Board of Equalization in administering and collecting the California State Sales and Use Taxes.
D. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that can be administered in a manner that will be, to the greatest degree possible, consistent with the provisions of Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, minimize the cost of collecting the transactions and use taxes, and at the same time, minimize the burden of record keeping upon persons subject to taxation under the provisions of this ordinance.
E. To provide transactions and use tax revenue to the City to be used for the general governmental purposes of the City and with any transactions and use tax revenue received being placed into the City’s general fund.
Section 6.62.040. CONTRACT WITH STATE
Prior to the Operative Date, the City shall contract with the State Board of Equalization to perform all functions incident to the administration and operation of this Ordinance; provided, that if the City shall not have contracted with the State Board of Equalization prior to the Operative Date, it shall nevertheless so contract and in such a case the operative date shall be the first day of the first calendar quarter following the execution of such a contract.
Section 6.62.050 TRANSACTIONS TAX RATE
For the privilege of selling tangible personal property at retail, a transactions tax is imposed upon all retailers in the incorporated territory of the City at the rate of0.50%1% of the gross receipts of any retailer from the sale of all tangible personal property sold at retail within the territory of the City on and after the Operative Date of this Ordinance.
Section 6.62.060 PLACE OF SALE
For the purposes of this Ordinance, all retail sales are consummated at the place of business of the retailer unless the tangible personal property sold is delivered by the retailer or his or her agent to an out-of-state destination or to a common carrier for delivery to an out-of-state destination. The gross receipts from the sale shall include delivery charges, when such charges are subject to the state sales and use tax, regardless of the place to which delivery is made. In the event a retailer has no permanent place of business in the State or has more than one place of business, the place or places at which the retail sales are consummated shall be determined under rules and regulations to be prescribed and adopted by the State Board of Equalization.
Section 6.62.070 USE TAX RATE
An excise tax is hereby imposed on the storage, use or other consumption in the City of tangible personal property purchased from any retailer on and after the Operative Date of this Ordinance for storage, use or other consumption in the territory of the City at the rate of 0.50% 1% of the sales price of the property. The sales price shall include delivery charges when such charges are subject to State sales or use tax regardless of the place to which delivery is made.
Section 6.62.080 ADOPTION OF PROVISIONS OF STATE LAW
Except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance, and except insofar as they are inconsistent with the provisions of Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, all of the provisions of Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code are adopted, incorporated and made a part of this Ordinance as though fully set forth in it.
Section 6.62.090 LIMITATIONS ON ADOPTION OF STATE LAW AND COLLECTION OF USE TAXES
In adopting the provisions of Part 1 of Division 2 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code:
A. Wherever the State of California is named or referred to as the taxing agency, the name of the City of Santa Monica shall be substituted. However, the substitution shall not be made when:
2. The result of the substitution would require action to be taken by or against the City or any agency, officer, or employee thereof rather than by or against the State Board of Equalization, in performing the functions incident to the administration or operation of this Ordinance;
a. Provide an exemption from the taxes of this Ordinance with respect to certain sales, storage, use or other consumption of tangible personal property which would not otherwise be exempt from the tax while such sales, storage, use or other consumption remain subject to tax by the State under the provisions of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, or;
B. The word "City" shall be substituted for the word "State" in the phrase "retailer engaged in business in this State" in Section 6203 and in the definition of that phrase in Section 6203.
Section 6.62.100 PERMIT NOT REQUIRED
If a seller's permit has been issued to a retailer under Section 6067 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, an additional transactor's permit shall not be required by this Ordinance.
Section 6.62.110 EXEMPTIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
1. Sales of tangible personal property, other than fuel or petroleum products, to operators of aircraft to be used or consumed principally outside the county in which the sale is made and directly and exclusively in the use of such aircraft as common carriers of persons or property under the authority of the laws of this State, the United States, or any foreign government;
2. Sales of property to be used outside the City, which is shipped to a point outside the City pursuant to the contract of sale by delivery to such point by the retailer or his agent, or by delivery by the retailer to a carrier for shipment to a consignee at such point. For the purposes of this paragraph, delivery to a point outside the City shall be satisfied:
1. The gross receipts from the sale of which have been subject to a transactions tax under any state-administered transactions and use tax ordinance;
2. Other than fuel or petroleum products purchased by operators of aircraft and used or consumed by such operators directly and exclusively in the use of such aircraft as common carriers of persons or property for hire or compensation under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant to the laws of this State, the United States, or any foreign government. This exemption is in addition to the exemptions provided in Sections 6366 and 6366.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the State of California;
3. If the purchaser is obligated to purchase the property for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the Operative Date of this Ordinance;
Section 6.62.120 AMENDMENTS
All amendments subsequent to the effective date of this ordinance to Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code relating to sales and use taxes and which are not inconsistent with Part 1.6 and Part 1.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and all amendments to Part 1.6 and Part 1.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, shall automatically become adopted and a part of this Ordinance without further action of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica or the City’s electorate, provided however, that no such amendment shall operate so as to affect the rate of tax imposed by this Ordinance. The City Council may amend this Ordinance to comply with applicable law or as may be otherwise necessary in order to further the Ordinance’s stated purposes.
Section 6.62.130 PROHIBITION ON ENJOINING COLLECTION
No injunction or writ of mandate or other legal or equitable process shall issue in any suit, action or proceeding in any court against the State or the City, or against any officer of the State or the City, to prevent or enjoin the collection under this Ordinance, or Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, of any tax or any amount of tax required to be collected under this Ordinance.
Section 6.62.140 SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Ordinance or the application of it to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Ordinance and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
Section 6.62.150 EFFECTIVE DATE
This Ordinance relates to the levying and collecting of a transactions and use tax and shall take effect without second reading by the City Council of the City of Santa Monica in accordance with the City Charter Section 619 (c), except that also in accordance with applicable law, no tax imposed by this Ordinance shall take effect unless this Ordinance is adopted by the electorate at an election to be held on November 2, 2010 8, 2016.
SECTION 2. Any provisions of the Santa Monica Municipal Code or appendices thereto inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, to the extent of such inconsistencies and no further, is hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary to effect the provisions of this Ordinance.
SECTION 3. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage of this Ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause the same to be published once in the official newspaper within 15 days after its adoption.
Santa Monica could reach highest sales tax rate in the country if measures approved — August 22, 2016 KPCC