El Monte sales tax passes
EL MONTE - Voters agreed to increase the sales tax in El Monte by a half-cent, from 8.25 percent to 8.75 percent, for five years to generate funds for the city.
Voters approved Measure GG by a wide margin, with 71 percent of voters voting yes.
Measure GG is expected to raise $4.4 million a year. The funds will be used to help the city maintain infrastructure and fire and police safety, according to city officials. Tax revenues will also be used to help rebuild the city's emergency reserves depleted by a $400,000 budget deficit.
Opponents, including councilwoman Patricia Wallach, argued that city officials did not do everything they could to cut spending before asking residents to pay more taxes.
The "transactions and use tax," as it is known, will not apply to grocery food or prescription medication.
It's very good news that Measure GG passes.
Let me be the first to say to all who oppossed Measure GG that there are alot of supporters of the measure who stand with you and agree that the money must be used wisely. HERE WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
1. DEMAND that the OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE be put together quickly.
2. DEMAND that RESIDENTS and BUSINESS OWNERS be represented on the OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
3. DEMAND that the MONIES be used FIRST to BUILD CITY RESERVES....we can't keep operating without savings.
4. DEMAND that the MONIES be used to address INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS.
5. START ATTENDING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS...AND DEFINATELY ATTEND BUDGET MEETINGS TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY DOES NOT GET SPENT FOOLISHLY.
THIS IS YOUR GOVERNMENT....START ACTING LIKE YOU OWN IT.
And now I shall cross over to Rosemead to do my shopping. With the county tax raised too, we are at over 10% sales tax. Sorry for the merchants and the people that cannot afford to drive/walk to the next city...
The El Monte tax IS NOT... over 10%.
The combined tax included with Measure R will be 9.25%.
Lame!!
Correction to correction:
Yes, it is 10.25%.
Instead of gaining tax, you lose tax to other cities.
10.25% starts on July 1, 2009