Local politicians and city leaders have been recently discussing whether a hike in the hotel bed tax would be appropriate to help fund the local school district, which is financially faltering.
The tax, which is strategically set at 12 percent — 2 percent lower than the city of Los Angeles and surrounding cities — is tacked on to room rates at hotels in Santa Monica.
The increase would have to be voter approved, and could appear as a ballot measure this November.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 25, 2004. Read the original PDF.