Category Archives: Politics

City of El Segundo 2014 Measure A Tax Hikes – City Attorney’s Impartial Analysis

Introduction

by Michael D. Robbins
Director, Public Safety Project, PublicSafetyProject.org

March 3, 2014

Here is a summary of Measure A, followed by the official City Attorney’s Impartial Analysis of Measure A. The summary includes information not provided by the Impartial Analysis, which required researching the El Segundo Municipal Code and making a Public Records Act request to the El Segundo City Clerk.

Measure A will appear on the City of El Segundo, California General Municipal Election ballot on Tuesday, April 8, 2014. It was put on the ballot by a vote of the City Council, primarily to pay for past and future excessive and unsustainable City employee raises and benefits and pension increases given by the City Council – especially for the firefighter and police “association” (union) members and their managers. Mayor Bill Fisher supported those raises and increases, and Councilwoman Suzanne Fuentes voted against them. City Council candidate Mike Dugan was not on the City Council and therefore did not vote for them, and given that he is fiscally conservative, it is likely he would have voted against them also.

Measure A is a massive permanent tax increase on residents and businesses. It will cost residents and businesses $6.6 million per year for the first three years. However, all the residents will pay the business tax increases that are passed on to them as customers.

Measure A does not have a sunset clause (expiration date) as two (Suzanne Fuentes and Carl Jacobson) of the five City Council members requested. Mayor Bill Fisher, Councilman David Atkinson, and Councilwoman Marie Fellhauer rejected their request to make all the new taxes and tax increases temporary for only a few years as needed.

Measure A creates four new 2.5% Utility Users Taxes (UUTs) on residents (Electricity, Water, Gas, and “Communications Services”), nearly doubles three existing existing Business UUTs (Electricity, Water, and Gas) to to 5.5%, more than doubles the existing Business “Communication Services” UUT to 4.5%, increases the Hotel Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT, or “bed tax”) by 25% to 10%, increases the existing Business License Tax (BLT) by reducing credits from Sales Tax generation, and creates a new 10% Parking Tax.

The “Communication Services” UUT is all-encompassing and will tax every charge on every one of your bills for every conceivable existing and future technology form of communication. Per El Segundo Municipal Code (E.S.M.C.) Section 3-7-1, the “Communication Services” UUT includes voice, data, audio, or any other information or signals, using any existing or future technology including land-line, DSL, cable, wireless, cellular, broadband, VoIP, and Internet.

The Measure A “Communication Services” UUT will tax your land-line telephone, cellular telephone, cable TV, satellite, paging, security alarm monitoring, and all other communication services. It will tax your internet access whether it is via DSL, cable TV, cellular phone network, or satellite. It will tax every charge on all of your “Communication Services” bills, including service charges, charges for extra services or features, and even late fees.

Measure A taxes solar energy if the residential or business electricity user does not actually own the solar panels on their roof, as with various solar panel lease and financing plans.

Measure A also taxes electricity co-generated by businesses and residents for their own use on their own property even though that is double-taxation. The UUT is already charged on the natural gas burned to generate the electricity, and the user is merely converting the chemical energy from one form to another before using it (to heat and then to electricity).


CITY ATTORNEY’S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS

MEASURE A

Measure A would adopt an ordinance entitled the “Consolidated Tax Measure” … Continue reading

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State Ballot Measures – Letter to The Beach Reporter by Michael D. Robbins

Please vote “yes” on Propositions 32 and 35, and “no” on all others, including all tax measures, all L.A. County measures (except B?) and El Camino Measure E. Taxes are unreasonably high. We’re forced to pay for massive welfare fraud (at least 25 percent, billions of dollars per year statewide) and K-12 education costs for illegal alien children who are not supposed to be in California (about 40 percent, $20 billion per year). … Continue reading

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No to Proposition 30 – Letter to The Beach Reporter by Kurt Schweter

It seems that The Beach Reporter has decided to jump into the political arena and into the deep end for that matter.

Proposition 30 is yet another shifty tax increase, disguised to “save the children” yet once again. The money will go to schools and nobody can touch it, just like Jerry Brown promises. (Anybody buying this one?) But where in the “schools” — classrooms, teachers, supplies, teacher benefits? … Continue reading

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Wrong Choice – Letter to The Beach Reporter by Bob White

No congratulations on your first endorsement of a proposition. The column has total emphasis on that old emotional manipulator, education. Voters should be aware that Proposition 30 has no guarantee of funds going exclusively to education. It will only provide more money to a state that is already spending too much in the wrong direction. Priorities are badly scrambled. Not many students are likely to be taking the “Bullet Train” to class. … Continue reading

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R.B. schools have received enough – Letter to The Beach Reporter by Mitch Kimball

The Redondo Beach School Board and Superintendent Keller should be ashamed of themselves. Putting another bond on the ballot four years after the last $140 million Measure C is a slap in the face to all the parents who constantly support the fundraisers, the never-ending cash requests and the Ed Foundation donations.

What’s worse are the deceptive glossy mailers coming to our homes. … Continue reading

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Not Another Bond – Letter to The Beach Reporter by Sanford Motte

Are you as exasperated with yet another school bond as I am? If Measure Q passes, it will be the third bond in the last 11 years totaling a quarter of a billion dollars in property tax hikes for homeowners in Redondo Beach. For people who purchased their homes in the late 90s or within the last 12 years, you will assume an abnormally large portion of this property tax increase. People who have homes valued between $600,000 and $1 million will see very noticeable increases to your already expensive tax bill. … Continue reading

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No New Taxes – Letter to The Beach Reporter by Marianne Fong

Please vote “yes” on Proposition 32 and “no” on all tax and bond measures, including 30 ($6 billion/year income and sales tax hike), 38 ($10 billion/year income tax hike), 39 ($1 billion/year tax hike); L.A. County Measure J (another 30 year sales tax hike), and El Camino Community College District Measure E ($350 million in new bond debt, probably costing about $700 million with interest).

Taxes are too high, and we also pay business taxes which are passed on to us as consumers. Bond measures create additional debt and require taxes to pay principle and interest. Bonds often cost double the amount borrowed with interest. … Continue reading

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“Empty Chair” Obama After the Election Tsunami by Michael D. Robbins

Thank you Clint Eastwood for your sensational dialog with “Empty Chair” Barack Obama during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida. Here are photos of “Empty Chair” Obama after the coming Election Tsunami on November 6, 2012. … Continue reading

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Voter Recommendation Summary for California’s November 6, 2012 General Election

Voter Recommendation Summary for California’s November 6, 2012 General Election

Last updated November 2, 2012 at 5:04 a.m. PT.

BALLOT MEASURES

There are extremely good and extremely bad ballot measures for this election.

Here are recommendations for California statewide Propositions 30 – 40; Los Angeles County Measures A, B, and J; and El Camino Community College District Measure E, followed by a brief summary for selected ballot measures.

Check back before you vote for any updates.


Summary Information:


Please vote "YES" on Propositions 32 and 35, and
"NO" on all others, including all tax and bond measures,
all Los Angeles County measures (except neutral on
L.A. County Measure B requiring condoms for adult movies),
and El Camino Community College District Measure E.

Taxes are unreasonably high. We’re forced to pay for
wildly excessive and unsustainable government employee
salaries, raises, benefits and pensions; massive welfare
fraud (at least 25 percent, billions of dollars per year
statewide); and K-12 education costs for illegal alien
children who are not supposed to be in California
(about 40 percent, $20 billion per year).


Prop #  Vote     Type of Measure / Subject / Measure Web Site

30      NO       Constitutional Amendment
Income and Sales Tax Hikes (Jerry Brown)

Tax hikes will only be used to pay for wildly excessive and
unsustainable government employee union and manager
salaries, benefits, and pensions that are bankrupting cities,
counties, and the state.

http://www.StopProp30.com/

31      NO       Constitutional Amendment
Two-Year Budget Cycle & Related Governance Changes
(California Forward)

32      YES      Statute
Prohibits direct union and corporate contributions to
political candidates, and prohibits automatic payroll
deductions for political purposes (Paycheck Protection).

Employees and other individuals can still make voluntary
contributions to candidates of their choice.

Necessary to help prevent city and county bankruptcies
due to wildly excessive and unsustainable salaries,
benefits, and pensions given in exchange for union
campaign contributions.

Government employee unions contributed 98% of
the $43 million in campaign money to defeat it.

http://www.YesProp32.com/

33      NO       Statute
Auto Insurance Price Setting: Driver Coverage History
Proposition 33 repeals consumer protections provided
by Proposition 103. It allows insurance companies to
charge more for auto insurance if you let your
policy lapse for any reason.

34      NO       Statute
Repeals Death Penalty in all cases, no matter how many
victims, and even if murder prison guards or other
prisoners while serving a life sentence for murder.

Prevents saving money by using the threat of a
death penalty to get murderers to plead guilty and
avoid an expensive trial in return for a life sentence.

Put on ballot by long-time death penalty opponents.

35      YES      Statute
Human Trafficking: "Californians for Sexual Exploitation Act"

36      NO       Statute
"Three Strikes" Dilution

37      NO       Statute
Genetically-Engineered Foods: Mandatory Labeling
This is a Trial Lawyers Full-Time Employment Act.

It is a scam designed to allow trial lawyers to extort
money from farmers and grocers using shakedown
lawsuits even when there are no injuries or damages.

http://www.NoProp37.com

38      NO       Statute
Income Tax Hike: Education (Molly Munger)

Taxes are already excessive and tax hikes will chase
more businesses, jobs, and taxpayers out of the state.

39      NO       Statute
Taxes on Multi-State Businesses: Single Sales Factor

Taxes are already excessive and tax hikes will chase
more businesses, jobs, and taxpayers out of the state.

40      NO       Referendum
Overturn Citizens Redistricting Commission State Senate Plan
(A "NO" vote is a vote to overturn the gerrymandered
redistricting plan.)
 

Los Angeles County Ballot Measures:

 A      NO       Advisory Vote
Advises changing the Los Angeles County Tax Assessor
from an elected position to an appointed position
not accountable to the voters and taxpayers.

 B      NEUTRAL  Ordinance
Regulation of adult movie industry requiring
condoms for adult movies, public health permit,
proof of blood borne pathogen training course.
Will likely chase adult movie industry to other
counties.

 J      NO       Tax Increase
Measure J is another 30-year sales tax hike after the
previous 30-year sales tax hike approved as Measure R
in 2010. It is dishonest and deceptive to ask for yet
another 30-year sales tax increase in only two years.

Measure 30 will also increase the sales tax if it passes.

California will have the highest sales tax in the
country, pressuring consumers to purchase over
the internet from other states and countries,
reducing sales tax revenues.
 

El Camino Community College District Measure E:

 E      NO       Bond Measure
Measure E is $350 million in new bond debt, probably
costing about $700 million with interest.
Bond measures create additional debt and require
taxes to pay principle and interest. Bonds often
cost double the amount borrowed with interest.



President / Vice President: Mitt Romney / Paul Ryan The economy, jobs, business climate, $16 trillion national debt, reduced national defense, and foreign policy all indicate it is time for a positive change in the White House. President Obama's presidency has been a re-run of a bad movie: Jimmy Carter's failed presidency with a failed economy, high unemployment, failed domestic policy, and failed foreign policy. Many people are calling President Obama's presidency "Jimmy Carter 2.0". President Obama's actions follow a clear pattern to:
  1. Weaken and undermine America;
  2. Weaken, undermine, alienate, and antagonize longtime American allies; and
  3. Strengthen, help, and embolden America's enemies and competitors.
Be sure to see the movie, "2016: Obama's America". It is a documentary movie that clearly explains what makes Obama tick, and how his upbringing and mentors shaped his world view and his view of America's future as a downsized, less powerful, less influential, and less important player on the world stage of nations. For more information, also see: Obama's Record: Investor's Business Daily series of editorials

United States Senator: Elizabeth Emken Her opponent Dianne Feinstein is 79 years old and will be 85 at the end of her six-year term if she is elected. Feinstein is rabid enemy of the Constitution, Second Amendment, self-defense rights, and property rights. She also has been at the center of much corruption. Feinstein may be suffering from onset Alzheimer's Disease. She has refused to participate in any debates or public appearances with Elizabeth Emlkin.

United States Representative: Bill Bloomfield Bloomfield is a former Republican who ran as an independent. He is somewhat liberal, but not as extreme as his opponent, Henry Waxman. Waxman iis at best a socialist if not an outright Marxist. He is a self-described "progressive". Waxman does not respect individual liberty and property rights.


Detailed Information:

CLICK HERE to go to the Detailed Voter Recommendations for California’s November 6, 2012 General Election.


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Voter Recommendations for California’s November 6, 2012 General Election

Voter Recommendations for California’s November 6, 2012 General Election

Last updated November 2, 2012 at 5:04 a.m. PT.

BALLOT MEASURES

There are extremely good and extremely bad ballot measures for this election.

Here are recommendations for California statewide Propositions 30 – 40; Los Angeles County Measures A, B, and J; and El Camino Community College District Measure E, followed by a brief summary for selected ballot measures.

Check back before you vote for any updates.


Summary Information:

Please vote "YES" on Propositions 32 and 35, and
"NO" on all others, including all tax and bond measures,
all Los Angeles County measures (except neutral on
L.A. County Measure B requiring condoms for adult movies),
and El Camino Community College District Measure E.

Taxes are unreasonably high. We’re forced to pay for
wildly excessive and unsustainable government employee
salaries, raises, benefits and pensions; massive welfare
fraud (at least 25 percent, billions of dollars per year
statewide); and K-12 education costs for illegal alien
children who are not supposed to be in California
(about 40 percent, $20 billion per year).
 

Prop #  Vote     Type of Measure / Subject / Measure Web Site

30      NO       Constitutional Amendment
Income and Sales Tax Hikes (Jerry Brown)

Tax hikes will only be used to pay for wildly excessive and
unsustainable government employee union and manager
salaries, benefits, and pensions that are bankrupting cities,
counties, and the state.

http://www.StopProp30.com/

31      NO       Constitutional Amendment
Two-Year Budget Cycle & Related Governance Changes
(California Forward)

32      YES      Statute
Prohibits direct union and corporate contributions to
political candidates, and prohibits automatic payroll
deductions for political purposes (Paycheck Protection).

Employees and other individuals can still make voluntary
contributions to candidates of their choice.

Necessary to help prevent city and county bankruptcies
due to wildly excessive and unsustainable salaries,
benefits, and pensions given in exchange for union
campaign contributions.

Government employee unions contributed 98% of
the $43 million in campaign money to defeat it.

http://www.YesProp32.com/

33      NO       Statute
Auto Insurance Price Setting: Driver Coverage History
Proposition 33 repeals consumer protections provided
by Proposition 103. It allows insurance companies to
charge more for auto insurance if you let your
policy lapse for any reason.

34      NO       Statute
Repeals Death Penalty in all cases, no matter how many
victims, and even if murder prison guards or other
prisoners while serving a life sentence for murder.

Prevents saving money by using the threat of a
death penalty to get murderers to plead guilty and
avoid an expensive trial in return for a life sentence.

Put on ballot by long-time death penalty opponents.

35      YES      Statute
Human Trafficking: "Californians for Sexual Exploitation Act"

36      NO       Statute
"Three Strikes" Dilution

37      NO       Statute
Genetically-Engineered Foods: Mandatory Labeling
This is a Trial Lawyers Full-Time Employment Act.

It is a scam designed to allow trial lawyers to extort
money from farmers and grocers using shakedown
lawsuits even when there are no injuries or damages.

http://www.NoProp37.com

38      NO       Statute
Income Tax Hike: Education (Molly Munger)

Taxes are already excessive and tax hikes will chase
more businesses, jobs, and taxpayers out of the state.

39      NO       Statute
Taxes on Multi-State Businesses: Single Sales Factor

Taxes are already excessive and tax hikes will chase
more businesses, jobs, and taxpayers out of the state.

40      NO       Referendum
Overturn Citizens Redistricting Commission State Senate Plan
(A "NO" vote is a vote to overturn the gerrymandered
redistricting plan.)
 

Los Angeles County Ballot Measures:

 A      NO       Advisory Vote
Advises changing the Los Angeles County Tax Assessor
from an elected position to an appointed position
not accountable to the voters and taxpayers.

 B      NEUTRAL  Ordinance
Regulation of adult movie industry requiring
condoms for adult movies, public health permit,
proof of blood borne pathogen training course.
Will likely chase adult movie industry to other
counties.

 J      NO       Tax Increase
Measure J is another 30-year sales tax hike after the
previous 30-year sales tax hike approved as Measure R
in 2010. It is dishonest and deceptive to ask for yet
another 30-year sales tax increase in only two years.

Measure 30 will also increase the sales tax if it passes.

California will have the highest sales tax in the
country, pressuring consumers to purchase over
the internet from other states and countries,
reducing sales tax revenues.
 

El Camino Community College District Measure E:

 E      NO       Bond Measure
Measure E is $350 million in new bond debt, probably
costing about $700 million with interest.
Bond measures create additional debt and require
taxes to pay principle and interest. Bonds often
cost double the amount borrowed with interest.



President / Vice President: Mitt Romney / Paul Ryan The economy, jobs, business climate, $16 trillion national debt, reduced national defense, and foreign policy all indicate it is time for a positive change in the White House. President Obama's presidency has been a re-run of a bad movie: Jimmy Carter's failed presidency with a failed economy, high unemployment, failed domestic policy, and failed foreign policy. Many people are calling President Obama's presidency "Jimmy Carter 2.0". President Obama's actions follow a clear pattern to:
  1. Weaken and undermine America;
  2. Weaken, undermine, alienate, and antagonize longtime American allies; and
  3. Strengthen, help, and embolden America's enemies and competitors.
Be sure to see the movie, "2016: Obama's America". It is a documentary movie that clearly explains what makes Obama tick, and how his upbringing and mentors shaped his world view and his view of America's future as a downsized, less powerful, less influential, and less important player on the world stage of nations. For more information, also see: Obama's Record: Investor's Business Daily series of editorials

United States Senator: Elizabeth Emken Her opponent Dianne Feinstein is 79 years old and will be 85 at the end of her six-year term if she is elected. Feinstein is rabid enemy of the Constitution, Second Amendment, self-defense rights, and property rights. She also has been at the center of much corruption. Feinstein may be suffering from onset Alzheimer's Disease. She has refused to participate in any debates or public appearances with Elizabeth Emlkin.

United States Representative: Bill Bloomfield Bloomfield is a former Republican who ran as an independent. He is somewhat liberal, but not as extreme as his opponent, Henry Waxman. Waxman iis at best a socialist if not an outright Marxist. He is a self-described "progressive". Waxman does not respect individual liberty and property rights.


Detailed Information:

Continue reading

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