I'm surprised about these writings opposing Measure X.
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As a City Council member, I have focussed on this possible loss of the existing franchise fees. Thanks to the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer's association, this long-standing revenue for the City's general operations must either be approved by the voters as a tax, or discontinued.
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That in itself is fine, we live in a country of elections and courts and we follow the law. I personally took part in discussions on what to do about the loss of revenue if we lose the franchise fee and I'm happy that we're going to ask the voters about it. Frankly, a loss of City revenue in the vicinity of $3,000,000 would be VERY hard for the City to simply absorb. IMPOSSIBLE would be the correct word.
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So, what to do? The only sensible answer is to ask our residents to continue what we have been doing for decades. Failure to ask the voters this question would have been completely irresponsible.
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And, what if this measure fails to gain voter approval? What then? Since 9/11, the City has been steadily reducing the size of its work force. Over $7,000,000 annually in cuts and numerous positions not filled.
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I think, in a real sense, we have been too good at making so many cuts and all the while trying to continue the same level of operations as residents have grown accustomed to. But, we can't do that forever. Already, far too many people are trying to do the work of two or more. It certainly can't continue if we lose on measure X. REAL services important to our community will have to be discontinued. I don't want to see that happen! I don't want to cut our parks or our recreation programs. I want to keep the entire beach and lifeguard program. I want to keep the pool, the teen center, Louden Nelson. I want Police and Fire services kept at current levels or expanded!
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We need to fix this revenue problem now. There is no time to wait. Later, we need to do a more systemic repair of City finances but THIS question must be answered in August.
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Measure X is set up to CONTINUE collecting about $7 from the average utility bill. It’s really NOT a "new" tax but, rather a replacement of a fee residents have paid since the 60's at least.
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It’s hard for me to understand how someone who regularly flies to Paris can begrudge Santa Cruz this operating money.
(See CDG - PARIS CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT, comments of P Marcelin-Sampson)
www.airlinequality.com/Airports/Airport_forum/cdg.htm
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There are flaws in this and just about every revenue California cities have. That’s because types of City revenues are very limitted and strictly dictated by the State. I am the first to say we need Statewide tax reform especially for funding our cities. I'd love to see that happen. But, right now, we need to maintain our City at LEAST at its current levels of operation. To do that, we need to pass Measure X.
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I urge all Santa Cruz voters to vote YES on measure X!

Ed Porter
eporter95 (at) aol.com