Here is the Sample Ballot Argument Against Measure B, El Segundo’s 50 Percent TOT Tax Hike from 8% to 12% on the April 12, 2016 El Segundo General Municipal Election ballot.

This argument is in addition to the Sample Ballot Rebuttal to the Argument in Favor of Measure B and the Additional Arguments Against Measure B.

Measure B – Hotel Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) increase from 8% to 12%

Argument Against Measure B

VOTE NO on Measure B, the BAIT-AND-SWITCH Tax Hike.

The City lured hotels with a Business Attraction Program and a lower competitive Hotel Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).

Measure B is a whopping 50% INCREASE in the TOT, from 8% to 12%.

The TOT is IN ADDITION to the existing property tax, business license tax, and Utility Users Tax (UUT) on hotels for electricity, water, gas, and all “communication services”.

Measure B is PERMANENT! There is NO SUNSET CLAUSE (expiration date), even though new development should provide millions in new City revenue, in addition to millions more from Chevron.

There is NO GUARANTEE any new tax money will go to infrastructure!

Even if some of the new taxes are used for infrastructure, where will the rest be spent by future City Councils – on even HIGHER SALARIES, BENEFITS, AND PENSIONS?

There is NOTHING in Measure B to control discretionary spending.

TWO WRONGS DON’T MAKE A RIGHT. It’s not right to charge high taxes just because “other cities are doing it”!

ALL TAXES COMBINED are MUCH TOO HIGH!

Residents already voted down residential trash fees, the Measure O tax hike, and the Measure A resident and business tax increases that were excessive, but City Councils keeps coming back for more money.

The City Council majority can change every two years.

Any future majority can reverse cost savings from a previous majority and lock-in the City to irresponsible cost increases for many years, expecting to raise taxes and fees on businesses and residents.

VOTE NO on Measure B to tell future City Councils they must be responsible with taxpayers’ money. City Hall should be open on Fridays.

VOTE NO on Measure B to tell Businesses that El Segundo is Stable and OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

Visit NoOnTaxHike.com regularly for more information.

• Mike Robbins, Former Council Member
• Jane Waag Friedkin, Former Council Member
• Charles Wilkerson, 37-Year Resident
• Marc Rener, 21-Year Homeowner
• Mike Van Biezen, 27-Year Resident

Additional Arguments Against Measure B:

There are additional compelling arguments against Measure B that did not fit within the word count limit of the Argument Against Measure B in the Sample Ballot, and a most compelling argument that arose after the deadline to submit the ballot argument and rebuttal. Click HERE to see them.