The citizens of Stockton and Modesto were given the same message by their city councils—either raise your sales tax or we will continue firing cops and closing down government services. “Your money or your life”, was the message. The people of bankrupt Stockton agreed to pay the blackmail—by a slim margin the people of Modesto said no.
Maybe if the cities sold their stadiums, convention centers, parking lots and other government property that is either not needed or not the proper role of government. Return cities to honest policies and end the blackmail of citizens.
“Had voters approved it, most of the money raised would have been used to add back some of the 55 police officers and 33 fire fighter positions that were cut when the Central Valley city was hammered by the Great Recession.”
Modesto voters reject sales tax increase
Central Valley Business Times, 11/6/13
• Narrowly defeated in light turnout
• Loses by fewer than 300 votes
Voters in Modesto have rejected an increase in their local sales tax with 8,464 votes against it (50.88 percent) to 8,170 in favor (49.12 percent).
The measure would have authorized a 1.0 percent additional sales tax that would have increased the city’s total sales tax rate to 8.625 percent.
Had voters approved it, most of the money raised would have been used to add back some of the 55 police officers and 33 fire fighter positions that were cut when the Central Valley city was hammered by the Great Recession.
Other spending from the increased tax would have gone toward attracting new business to Modesto.
