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# Putting the extra tax idea to bed
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/putting-the-extra-tax-idea-to-bed/
- Published: 2004-02-28T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T03:52:53.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Education, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

This past week, Q-line asked: “Do you support an increase in the hotel bed tax. Why or why not?” Here are your responses: ■“I think that a bed tax or whatever they call it is a good idea. What will they use that money for? I don’t know, maybe they could help fund the schools with it. Of course, it will probably end up going to the homeless because they are more important than our children’s education. Just ask the Mayor. I don’t know what Rudy Giuliani did in New York, but maybe we could get him to come here? Whatever it was it had to be a better idea than a bed tax.” ■“Its interesting to note that after the parcel tax was passed, the big shots at the school district went to an expensive fish house on PCH to celebrate. I thought about that when I was ordering my dinner — a Carl’s Jr. hamburger.” ■“The hotel bed tax I cannot support. People come here from other states to vacation, it cost an arm and a leg for the room itself, they need a rental car, then there’s gas to factor in. This will drive people from Santa Monica instead of bringing them in. Let the city council or the politicians pay the extra two percent.” ■“Yes, I support this increase. It will help to keep our city clean and beautiful. I work at the Good Shepherd and I used to be the president here.” ■“I don’t support increasing the bed tax. This two percent could keep people from choosing hotels in Santa Monica. It doesn’t sound like a lot, maybe not enough to make a difference, but when I look for a hotel online like a lot of people, it can be a factor. People tend to go with the lower price. I have done it, I know people who do. “ ■“I would have to say the worst possible way to try and help the school district is to tax the tourists we need to keep the hotels open. A bed tax? Are they kidding? Hello! Welcome to Santa Monica. While you are spending a percentage of your yearly income just to be here, would you mind sparing some change for our school district? The spirit of the homeless has crept into the very veins of our council. I mean, aren’t they making enough money off parking costs, parking tickets and the flourishing businesses in the community? Has it come down to badgering the out-of-towners? Too bad I cant be one of them. I used to love it here.” ■ “The schools should not be financed by our primary source of income. That is the businesses who choose to be in this area. If we want to help our school district, we could start by restricting the amount of low-income housing that is planned and permitted by community corp, which adds to the schools burden.” ■“I have called in before and said the very same thing I am saying now. The best laid plan is to get rid of this city council. They have their own agenda for everything. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to find out that this bed tax is going to line their pockets before the schools see a dime. “

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 28, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/022804.pdf?ref=smdp.com)