Alameda County Measures

“While existing tax is based on property size brackets, making it the fairest at the time it was adopted, Measure C changes this to a tax per square foot of property, ensuring that residents are taxed equitably. It also halves the total tax for households with low income and exempts households with very low income.”

None filed.

“San Joaquin Delta College is a critical resource for local students to receive specialized skills and training in high-paying careers, such as, nursing, health care, emergency services, welding, agricultural technology, automotive repair, manufacturing, and many more skilled trades. Vote Yes on Measure K to continue Delta’s long tradition of educating the health care professionals our community needs for today’s health care and any future public health emergencies.”

None filed.

“With the potential for state funds becoming available through the passage of Proposition 2, it is crucial that Albany pass this local bond in order to be eligible for matching funds. Albany’s schools are its pride, providing an excellent education in an inclusive, welcoming environment. Our schools keep our property values high, and so are a benefit to all residents.”

“Annual residential property tax bill will increase by $715 until 2057. Housing costs go up. Rents will be raised! Measure L provides no senior, disabled, or low-income exemptions! Measure L is unnecessary, district student enrollment has fallen around 10% since 2015. The state of California just inspected all Albany school buildings and found them to be in ‘Exemplary’ or ‘Good’ condition with all systems rated ‘Good.’ See the 2023 State Accountability Report Cards.”

“Our school district is one of the lowest-funded districts in Alameda County and many schools need basic repairs including replacing aging and leaking roofs. Voting Yes on Measure M will provide more classroom space for all students and student programs, significantly enhancing the quality of education in science, technology, engineering, art, and math programs, ensuring our students have access to the same high-quality education as other students in the region.”

None filed.

“Our local schools serving Union City and South Hayward provide quality instruction that prepares students for success in college and careers. Most classrooms, science labs, and school facilities were built over 50 years ago and need critical and ongoing repairs and upgrades. James Logan High School, the only comprehensive public high school serving our community, is over 60 years old. Aging classrooms and science labs need updates to keep up with educational and safety standards.”

“Measure N is … a huge tax increase just on Union City and south Hayward costing a half billion dollars! The Bay Area’s high cost of living already is unbearable. Grocery, gas, and electric bills are skyrocketing. Many families already are struggling. Measure N would add to that heavy burden. Measure N is so extremely expensive that it is barely legal.”

“Today’s graduates must compete in a highly technical workforce and global economy. Especially now, we need schools with modern classrooms, labs and technology to better prepare students for college, good-paying jobs and career success. Unfortunately, our Newark Unified schools have grown old, really old. In fact, all Newark schools are at least 60 years old. They desperately need repairs and upgrades.”

“Measure O will add another $400 per year to your property tax bill. Our neighbors can’t afford it. Our opponents claim that Measure O ‘won’t raise’ the tax rate. Don’t fall for their trick. Your ‘constant’ tax rate ($50 per $100,000) is much higher than other East Bay districts’ average tax rate. Better-run school districts pay down their debts so that their tax rate falls over time, saving taxpayers money!”

“California provides far less money per student than most other states, and Piedmont schools get less than other California districts. Our schools have remained exceptional because for over 35 years the Piedmont community has supported local parcel taxes that provide over 25% of our schools’ budget. It is our most important source of locally controlled funding. Passing Measure P is crucial for attracting and retaining high-quality educators and offering advanced programs.”

None filed.

“Many of our classrooms and buildings are over 50 years old and need significant infrastructure repairs and modernization. Measure Q will allow the district to continue improving San Lorenzo schools to meet today’s safety, technological, and educational standards. Let’s provide our San Lorenzo students with the safe and improved classrooms and school facilities they need and deserve by voting Yes on Measure Q.”

“Vote No on Measure Q. It’s a huge tax increase just on San Lorenzo costing over $409 Million! The Bay Area’s high cost of living already is unbearable. Grocery, gas, and electric bills are skyrocketing. Many families already are struggling. Measure Q would add to that heavy burden. Measure Q is so extremely expensive that it is barely legal.”

The least expensive way to reduce homelessness is to prevent people from becoming homeless, and short-term rental assistance can help. Measure R will save people from losing their homes and prevent housing providers from losing income. With this modest tax, the city can fund short-term rental assistance and emergency mortgage assistance for rental businesses that are having financial emergencies.

Measure R is a misguided policy that will harm the very people it claims to protect. Measure R is particularly concerning for Albany seniors who may have to pay more for the assisted-living facilities that house them. Many residential rental businesses already struggle to meet existing expenses, and increased costs due to this tax will likely result in higher rents for tenants.

“Of the cities in Alameda County, all but three, including Albany, provide their city manager appointment authority over officers and department heads. This change will make hiring easier by streamlining the process and ensuring the retention of qualified city managers.”

None filed.

“The language in the charter is not clear as to what offices might be required to post a bond, leaving ambiguity regarding the city’s practices. By removing this language and stating that the city overrides California Government Code, we can eliminate this ambiguity and ensure city practices reflect the charter and best practices for the modern day.”

None filed.

“Our current charter language is outdated, referencing school bonds because when the city was founded, the school district did not yet exist. Measure U removes language from the charter that references bonding for school purposes, ensuring there is no confusion for either the school district or the city to put forward bonds in the future.”

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“Neuropsychology has found that, while 16-year-olds need more time to develop the faculties to make in-the-moment or emotional decisions, they have the same cognitive capacity as 18-year-olds to make considered, rational, and deliberative decisions. … Furthermore, once people vote once, they are much more likely to vote again. As a result, jurisdictions that have lowered the voting age have seen an increase in overall voter turnout.”

None filed.

No formal argument in favor of the measure has been filed, according to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. However, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín has expressed his support, noting the existing transfer tax voters approved in 2018 contributed to a 45% reduction in unsheltered homelessness in the city. To meet the city’s goal of further reducing unsheltered homelessness by 75%, the city needs to spend roughly $75 million annually. “We can’t take our foot off the gas,” Arreguín said.

No formal argument in opposition to the measure has been filed, according to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. However, Marcus Crawley — president of the Alameda County Taxpayers Association — urged caution, calling the city’s promise to use the funding for homeless services a “gimmick.” Under state law, cities cannot divert a transfer tax to a special program, meaning all revenues are deposited into the city’s general fund and can be used for any legitimate city expense. 

“Our libraries are at a critical juncture, and without additional funds we’ll be forced to cut hours, reduce staff, shrink collections, delay much-needed upgrades and repairs, and cut youth and other programs that are highly valued by our community. The last time our libraries won direct operational funding from voters was in the 1980s. It’s time to renew our support!”

None filed.

“There are many parks and facilities requiring upgrades. We have approximately $90 million in key capital improvement needs across the 250 acres comprising Berkeley’s parks and this modest increase will allow us to continue expanding the tree canopy in South and West Berkeley while increasing our management of trees in the hills and fire areas.”

None filed.

“Sugary drinks are proven risk factors for many health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, tooth decay, and some cancers. Almost 50% of African American and Latino children are predicted to get diabetes in their lifetimes. By voting Yes on Measure Z we can continue to reduce soda consumption and prevent the health problems it causes.”

None filed.

“If Measure AA does not pass, the city will lose tens of millions of dollars in voter approved tax revenues every year. This will have significant negative impacts for everyone in Berkeley — forcing our public libraries to close, fire stations to be shuttered, reductions in park maintenance, the elimination of services for the disabled, and crippling our wildfire prevention efforts. These vital services impact the safety and quality of life for all of us.”

None filed.

“Tenants lack anyone to talk to about repairs and problems unless they work together. Just like unionization improves working conditions, a union at home improves living conditions. Based on successful San Francisco law, Measure BB creates a new right to organize tenant associations, requiring owners to work in good faith with tenants to address issues.”

“Measure BB destroys homeowners’ ability to decide when to start and stop renting their home. It severely limits the ability to evict tenants for non-payment of rent or lease violations. The inability to end a tenancy when a homeowner needs to, can lead to serious financial and social issues for families.”

“The lack of housing affordability in Berkeley has reached an all-time high. Building new housing takes time and it isn’t affordable for everyone. Berkeley needs housing options now. Preventing tenants from being displaced due to unexpected life events helps keep people off the streets. Berkeley needs a permanent rent relief fund for tenants in need.”

“Berkeley’s largest landlords spent tens of thousands of dollars to qualify Measure CC, promoting it as a solution to homelessness. However, this measure could increase housing insecurity for hundreds of households throughout our city. Measure CC also creates a redundant rent relief program, placing millions of taxpayer dollars directly into the pockets of landlords, with no criteria or means testing.”

“Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations are a leading cause of pollution and global warming. Leading environmental groups have called for CAFO bans. Water pollution from CAFOs can cause ocean dead zones. Fresh water sources can become impaired from nitrogen and phosphorus in animal feces. This threatens the San Francisco Bay. Measure DD will protect the environment and support Berkeley’s goal of zero net emissions by 2045.”

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“Measure EE focuses on the basics to ensure that we will get our streets, sidewalks and paths repaired so that everyone can walk, bike, and drive safely. And Measure EE exempts low-income homeowners and protects small businesses. Measure EE fully funds sidewalk repair so we don’t have to rely on homeowners to make our sidewalks safe.”

“Measure EE does not guarantee safety improvements for kids or pedestrians. Measure EE doesn’t require the City Council to spend a dime on making our streets safer. It won’t fund Safe Routes to Schools projects for children walking or biking to school. It won’t fund street lighting to protect seniors, and it won’t stop dangerous speeding on neighborhood streets, which almost killed a child on Mabel Street last Halloween.”

“Berkeley streets are crumbling after decades of under-investment. The City Council has doubled the paving budget, but a new city report reveals that’s still insufficient. Without significant additional funding, our streets will degrade further. The city’s official report determined Measure FF will provide more than twice the funding for street paving and safety as any other measure on the ballot — enough to maintain or improve our streets over the next 14 years.”

“Measure FF claims to allocate 30% of funds to ‘safety improvements,’ but that term is defined broadly to include 18 miles of hardscape cycle tracks on major city corridors that would introduce new cycle hazards, while eliminating parking and hurting our small businesses, increasing congestion, and impeding emergency responders. ‘Safety improvements’ can also be used to remove travel lanes and to close off Telegraph Avenue to cars.”

“This special tax would only be applied to owners of the largest greenhouse gas emitting buildings 15,000 square feet or larger. Owners are prohibited from passing tax on to residential tenants … Methane use in buildings accounts for nearly one-third of Berkeley’s climate emissions, but there’s currently no plan to reduce them. This measure would curb emissions and account for societal costs of burning and leaking methane.”

“Berkeley’s nonprofits and small businesses are eager to fight climate change by transitioning off natural gas. But this dramatic, unsustainable tax triples natural gas costs for hundreds of small businesses and nonprofits — costing thousands to millions of dollars annually. For many, it could be years before it’s possible to transition, and this measure does nothing to help in the meantime.”

“COVID-19 outbreaks remain frequent, negatively impacting the public. At least one city employee died of COVID likely contracted at work. Many more developed long COVID. During wildfires and heatwaves, city buildings become dangerous and unfit as designated disaster shelters. To protect occupants, the measure requires the city to achieve minimum air quality. These standards were developed by the White House COVID-19 Response Team and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).”

“Measure HH would force tenants who lease city buildings, including nonprofits, to install and maintain expensive HVAC systems, even if unnecessary and infeasible. Measure HH creates civil penalties and a right to sue the city, potentially costing thousands in lawsuits. A recent city report found that the cost of ‘adopting the Healthy City Buildings Ordinance are significant.’ The report couldn’t even evaluate the full cost of implementation due to its immense scope.”

“Yes on II will allow limited commercial — not residential — development rights on the adjacent 80 acres, providing East Dublin with access to high-paying jobs and local services other Dublin neighborhoods already have. Here’s what Measure II does not do: Measure II does not overturn previous voter actions restricting housing development. Measure II does not cost Dublin taxpayers one penny.”

“Proponents of Measure II claim it will be good for the environment, but local environmental groups Save Mount Diablo, Audubon Society, California Native Plant Society East Bay Chapter, and others oppose Measure II because it will actually: reduce open space, destroy wildlife habitat, worsen traffic and congestion, block scenic views with giant warehouses, increase air pollution from cars and huge delivery trucks, and significantly increase water consumption and sewage treatment loads.”

None filed.

“The measure does not specify whether 12 years is a lifetime limit or limited to 12 consecutive years. In fact, the City Council voted not to use the version containing the word ‘lifetime.’ Without specifying, it leaves it up to the city leaders which it would be. It would be nice to know before you voted. Words were carefully chosen to make you think that this measure would reign in inappropriate political behavior.”

“Ten years ago, Hayward voters overwhelmingly approved a half-cent sales tax to fund priority city services and upgrade aging public facilities … Hayward still has significant unmet facility and service needs. Continuing without increasing this vital funding is the most fair, affordable solution to meet our city’s needs.”

“Hayward’s high cost of living already is unbearable. Grocery, gas, and electric bills are skyrocketing. Many families are already struggling. Measure K1 will cost you $20 million every year until 2054. We cannot afford this new $400 million tax. We read Measure K1’s ‘fine print.’ The city’s resolution calls this a ‘temporary’ tax. But Measure K1’s new tax will end in 2054. That’s not ‘temporary.’”

“Measure LL is 100% paid by visitors, tourists and lodging guests visiting Newark. Measure LL is not a tax on Newark residents or homeowners. Voting Yes on LL ensures every penny is spent on services benefiting us, by requiring visitors to pay their fair share of repairing streets and potholes, maintaining 911 emergency medical response, and protecting neighborhood police patrols.”r.

None filed.

“These wildfires impact all our communities; we’ve felt the consequences, from smoke-filled air to losing homeowners’ insurance to displacing families. The most cost-effective way to combat wildfires is through a smart prevention plan that includes implementing tree and vegetation management, inspecting high-risk sites, and coordinating across governmental agencies and community partners. Measure MM will fund these efforts for Oakland.”

“Because city leadership is unable or unwilling to do its job to reduce wasteful expenditures in so many other areas — after all, trying to fight being recalled takes a lot of time — the taxpayers are looking at having to pay still another special tax because they are threatened, literally, with their homes going up in flames as consequences.”

“We face a public safety crisis in Oakland — our community must come together to improve 911 response times and reduce crime and gun violence. We cannot wait. Measure NN was developed by a coalition of Oakland community leaders, small businesses, doctors, public health experts, firefighters and first responders. They carefully drafted a balanced, smart-on-crime measure and bypassed City Council by collecting signatures to bring Measure NN to the ballot through a citizens’ initiative.”

“Vote No on Oakland’s decades-long plan to defund the police and reject this new parcel tax that decreases police funding, decreases accountability, and will result in even more crime … If Oakland public officials thought we desperately needed to renew Measure Z, they could have drafted a proposal themselves. But they didn’t.”

“Public officials must be held accountable. The Oakland Public Ethics Commission (PEC) is our local agency that takes the lead on government ethics and accountability. It must have the authority, capacity, and independence to do its job. Voting Yes on Measure OO will give our PEC updated tools and structure to investigate and enforce Oakland’s campaign finance and governmental ethics laws.”

“The proposed amendment to the Public Ethics Commission is a camouflage, containing other provisions in the amendment; the ostensible purpose however to this amendment is to get voter approval for this ill-conceived Democracy Dollars pilot project. Neither is the cost amount stated, nor is there any reference made to the funding source.”

“Without Measure PP, painful cuts await: e.g., the city may be forced to close a fire station, which could double response times for emergency 911 calls in certain Pleasanton neighborhoods. Measure PP authorizes a city of Pleasanton half-cent sales tax to provide needed locally controlled funding for police, fire, 911 response, and other city services that make Pleasanton a quality community.”

“There is no requirement that the 0.5% tax increase will be spent on essential services. There is no safeguard against misallocation of funds or their use for pet projects like a skate park. The sales tax will go into the General Fund with no guarantee it will be fully allocated to the priorities of the residents like police, fire and children’s safety.”

“Union City is facing a budget deficit that threatens essential services, safety, and quality of life for all residents. Voting Yes on QQ ensures large businesses operating in Union City pay their fair share for the roads, infrastructure, and public safety services they benefit from.”

None filed.