This November, Santa Clara County voters will determine on Measure A—a countywide 5/8 gross sales tax hike starting April 2026. It will increase the bottom fee from 9.125%, with even increased charges in San José, Milpitas and Campbell.
A regressive gross sales tax hits struggling households hardest whereas doing little to unravel the County’s ballooning deficit. Federal Medi-Cal cuts are actual, however elevating our taxes isn’t the reply.
The Board of Supervisors rushed Measure A onto the poll with solely 24 hours’ discover—no enter from cities or residents.
In 2019, the County purchased three bankrupt hospitals, including huge prices. Right this moment, 52% of County expenditures—$7.1B of $13.7B—go to the Well being and Hospital System, far increased than Los Angeles County’s regardless of its a lot bigger inhabitants. The system misplaced $600M final yr, projected at $1B this yr, and as much as $3B yearly by 2030. Measure A’s $330M a yr is a drop within the bucket. The place’s the plan?
Marketed as healthcare funding, Measure A is a common tax needing solely 50%+1 to move. Funds aren’t legally certain to healthcare; it’s a clean examine already eyed by cities for pet tasks.
As a substitute of audits and reforms, County leaders wish to increase taxes—a brand new regional transportation tax is already within the works.
Sufficient is sufficient.
