Why Davis should vote ‘yes’ on Measure Q in the March 2020 primary
Davis City Council in September declared a fiscal emergency in response to the imminent expiration of a 1 percent sales tax that generates $8.6 million each year, or 15 percent of the city’s overall budget. The money supports most of the city’s public safety employees and a large part of the parks and recreation department.
Measure Q seeks to extend the 1 percent sales tax slated to expire, keeping the total sales tax in Davis at 8.25 percent. For comparison, Sacramento’s total sales tax is 8.75 percent.
Declaring a fiscal emergency precipitated questions from constituents, and understandably so. The need for Measure Q is clear, however, and the measure does not represent an increase in taxes.
Measure Q represents a tax of 1 cent on every dollar consumers on items subject to sales tax. It requires a simple majority vote to pass.
If it passes, voters will have to vote to repeal the tax if they want to end it. While the indefinite nature of the measure is a concern, safety and quality of life for those who live, work and play in Davis supersedes it.
The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board advises a “yes” vote on Measure Q.
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This story was originally published January 23, 2020 at 5:00 AM.