Solano County Measures

“Although our schools have been well maintained over the years, many classrooms are old and don’t meet today’s safety, technological, and educational standards. The average age of our schools is over 45 years old, with Vacaville High, our oldest, being constructed over 70 years ago. In addition, due to residential growth in Vacaville, our campuses are becoming overcrowded. We need major classroom and infrastructure improvements to maintain the quality of education provided to children.”

“We are all required to live within our means. The School District Board should do so as well, rather than asking us to shift even more money from our budget to theirs. Rising prices on groceries, gas, PG&E, etc. are crushing many seniors, disabled and low-income families. This Measure E tax would increase their housing costs too! There’s no exemption for seniors, disabled or low income.”

“The revenue from this tax will improve safety and the overall condition of our infrastructure for vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, and children. Measure F is very different from other measures proposed over the years. Funds collected from Measure F will be separated from the city’s General Fund, and by law, will be dedicated 100% to repairing our streets. City staff and the City Council cannot use these funds for anything else.”

“Measure F is fatally flawed because the city attorney has poisoned the measure with a so-called ‘summary’ that is more than twice as long as the proposed measure. This new substantive language expressly revises and amends Measure F. Such an amendment and revision is expressly prohibited by state law.”

“Measure G is part of the plan to secure Benicia’s future. It allows Benicia to become a charter city with the limited and sole purpose of empowering voters to implement a real property transfer tax. Measure G and Measure H are connected. Only charter cities are able to implement a real property transfer tax (RPTT). In order for the voters to consider the RPTT (Measure H), the city must become a charter city.”

“Don’t be fooled: Measure G is not needed for a transfer tax. Benicia already has a transfer tax. It’s 55 cents per $1,000 of value. Benicia is a General Law city. It can’t raise its transfer tax any higher because of statewide caps. That’s why City Hall wants Measure G. To bypass the caps and put forth Measure H, to massively increase the existing transfer tax by 727%.”

“Every penny from Measure H stays in Benicia and has accountability through two citizen oversight committees. Measure H is supported by every Benicia City Council member, Benicia police officers and firefighters, and Solano County realtors. Better roads mean safer commutes and increased property values. These funds will directly support the city services and infrastructure that keep Benicia a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

“Measure H will make it more expensive for your children and grandchildren to buy a home in Benicia. A homebuyer can’t finance the cost of the tax. It’s money that must be paid at closing. Don’t be fooled by claims that Measure H won’t hurt long-time homeowners. It is a raid on the equity they’ve built up paying mortgages and making improvements.”

“If we don’t act, we risk losing the very people who keep our community safe. Measure J is about making sure that doesn’t happen. By adding a one cent tax to every dollar spent in Dixon, we can ensure that Dixon has the resources it needs to attract and retain the best public safety officers and maintain the essential services we all depend on.”

“They say they’re only adding 1%. But the current local rate of 1.375% will increase to 2.375%. That’s an increase of over 70%! For expensive purchases, a 70% increase in local sales taxes will hurt. It will hurt seniors, the disabled, and low-income families the most because they spend a larger portion of their income on taxable goods. Measure J will increase the already high cost of living for all residents.”

“We made cuts, had less staff do more work, and delayed infrastructure repairs. Meanwhile, costs continue to outpace revenue. If this tax is not approved, we will be forced to make deeper cuts. Services such as police and fire will be impacted critically. We can no longer balance the budget without additional revenue. We must maintain our current level of services. This tax will fill the gap while we look for additional alternatives.”

None filed.

“Measure L is designed to attract, retain, and encourage business growth and job creation in Fairfield while simplifying oversight and compliance. It also helps to protect small businesses as they grow and ensures the largest businesses in Fairfield pay their fair share for the local city services and infrastructure they rely upon.”

“Does this tax improve operating conditions for the businesses in the city? No. Many businesses may increase their prices, thus passing the tax on to us. Is the city reducing its spending enough to make this tax unnecessary? No. Businesses already pay income and property taxes for public services. Why another one? The only reason for this tax is to increase revenue for the city.”

“Measure M only impacts guests staying in hotels and motels in Fairfield and does not increase taxes on residents. Specifically, voting Yes on M increases Fairfield’s hotel/motel tax paid by visitors to ensure they contribute to maintain the roads, infrastructure, public safety services and other resources they utilize while staying in Fairfield.”

“Measure M just makes hotels and motels tax collectors. It discourages employers who house employees temporarily in long-term hotels. It may be less expensive to pay their travel costs. The city manager asked each department to cut 5% from its coming budget request. Only a few came close to doing it. Was it enough to make this tax unnecessary? No. Measure M’s increase is solely to boost revenue for the city.”

“Many of our schools were built 30–70 years ago and require critical repairs and upgrades to ensure the health and safety of all students. To succeed in the world today, our students must be skilled in the use of 21st century educational technology and have a solid background in science, math and technology. Measure R makes this possible by ensuring that all students have equal access to modern classrooms and learning tools.”

“Measure R proposes issuing $65 million in bonds, which will result in increased property taxes to pay off the bonds over the next 26 years. Tenants will feel the impact of a property tax increase. When property taxes go up, landlords often pass on the additional costs to their tenants by raising the rent. This additional financial burden comes at a time when many families are already struggling with rising living costs.”

“To sustain essential services, Suisun City relies on emergency reserves that will be depleted next year. Additionally, $3 million in annual funding from a voter-approved sales tax is expiring. … Without Measure S, Suisun City will make drastic cuts to services that directly impact safety and quality of life. Suisun City may declare bankruptcy and eliminate our locally controlled fire department, police department, parks, libraries, youth and senior programs.”

“Sales taxes are inherently regressive, meaning they take a larger percentage of income from low-income earners than from high-income earners. This exacerbates income inequality and places an unfair burden on those least able to afford it. Relying on sales tax increases to address budget deficits is a short-term fix that does not address the underlying financial issues.”