Supervisors ditch proposed tax increase

Santa Clara County Supervisors have decided not to propose a ballot measure calling for a 5/8 cent increase to local sales tax. The proposal would have given Santa Clara County the distinction of being one of the highest--if not the highest--taxed regions in California. The tax rate would have driven the local combined state/county/city rate to nearly 10%.

The San Jose Mercury News reports that "For the second straight year, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez’s proposal to place a 5/8-cent sales tax increase on the ballot isn’t going anywhere...

"Placing a tax increase on the November 2020 ballot would have required approval by four of the five supervisors.

"A 5/8-cent increase would raise the countywide sales tax from 9 to 9.625 percent, although consumers would pay more in certain cities where additional taxes are levied. It would funnel an estimated $250 million a year into the county’s general fund, to be spent as the supervisors wish.

"Supervisor Mike Wasserman opposed the 5/8-cent sales tax increase last year and reiterated his opposition to another attempt last month, when he voted against bringing the newest proposal to a full board vote.

"Supervisor Joe Simitian declined Tuesday to comment on the latest tax proposal, noting it never officially came before the board for discussion. But he noted that his comments last year when he abstained from voting on the initial 5/8-cent proposal still stands.

"This is not about being anti-tax … I just think we can’t go out to the public and make the case that we need another 200 million dollars a year in perpetuity,” Simitian said last year."