This past week, Q-Line asked, “What tax proposal would you support? Will you vote in favor of the flat $225 tax scheduled for the special election?”
Here are your responses: (Editor’s Note: Because of the high volume of responses to this week’s question, the Daily Press printed a partial list of answers Friday and the remaining responses today.) ■ “I would support a tax based on square footage. One of the reasons I did-n’t vote for the last tax was because it was unfair and now, even though the amount is less, the new one is equally unfair. Until it is based on square footage, I cannot support a parcel tax.” ■ “I definitely think we need to support this initiative. The people who are working on it have come up with the best plan that they can to make it pass. We need to keep our schools afloat.” ■ “I would support a flat parcel tax of $225 for the schools.” ■ “I have a son in first grade at Grant Elementary School. I understand that many residents feel a flat tax is unfair given the diverse population within Santa Monica. Other options such as a dollar per square foot tax might be considered more just. However, given that the cost of property in Santa Monica does not depend solely on dollar per square foot but also ranges widely depending on the location and age of the home, apartment, or business, it would be very difficult to make any type of tax fair to everyone. In addition, the $225 flat tax is minimal, given the benefits the funding initiative will provide to the community as a whole. In my opinion schools should be given top priority. Currently the school district is in dire need of replacing lost funds. I would encourage anyone voting against this initiative based on concern of fairness to first attend a PTA meeting at any local Santa Monica school to understand the importance of this initiative. Please support this initiative to maintain the integrity of Santa Monica and it’s schools.” ■ “I support the school funding initiative.” ■ “I am in favor of the flat tax to support school funding and I think it’s an appropriate measure to be on the ballot.” ■ “I would support a flat tax scheduled for the special election. I feel at this time the City of Santa Monica has a very limited opportunity to help support the crisis that is currently occurring in education all the way down from the state level. It is a crime to think that the governor has used education as a whim to the feed confidence of his fellow lobbyists.” ■ “We will vote NO on any and all property tax increases. Last year the Silicon Valley billionaires put up tons of money to get Prop 39 passed by promoting it with deceitful and false advertising. As a result, all property owners in California will be paying for this travesty for the next 20 to 30 years as new bonds are issued and will most likely see their property taxes doubling in the next three to five years. All homeowners should vote NO on all future property tax increases and assessments. Vote NO all assessments.” ■ “Absolutely, positively not. The parcel tax is totally unfair, and in fact, I find I am paying $167 for schools in a post proposition 13 property tax payment for a 1 bedroom condo. I also don’t see why Santa Monica should pay for schools in Malibu.” ■ “I supported the alternative to the parcel tax at $60 per parcel and.7¢ per square foot. No, I will not vote for the $225 flat tax.” ■ “I am a teacher for the Santa Monica City Schools and I am supporting this funding initiative for the schools.” ■ “I support the school funding initiative. Vote yes on the parcel tax.” ■ “I am a Santa Monica resident and parent in the school district and I am calling to let you know that I am in favor of the flat tax because I believe it will continue to improve the quality of our schools. Our school district is known throughout the region and nation as a model school district. We should absolutely support this measure.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 8, 2003. Read the original PDF.