Lawsuit forces tax measure ballot language change in Contra Costa County

A lawsuit filed by Sandra Kallander, chair of the Libertarian Party of Contra Costa County, and another individual, successfully challenged the language used in Contra Costa County’s Measure B, a 0.625% sales tax measure set for the June ballot. The plaintiffs argued the original ballot language was persuasive and prejudicial, violating state election code requiring neutral wording. Judge Leonard E. Marquez agreed in part, ruling that descriptions of federal cuts as “deep” and local services as “critical” were argumentative and had to be removed, along with claims about preventing hospital closures and restrictions on fund usage.

The measure aims to raise approximately $150 million annually to offset potential funding reductions stemming from federal spending cuts and a projected state budget deficit. County officials expressed concerns about the potential loss of health coverage for 90,000 residents and significant reductions in funding for the county health system. However, the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association pointed out inaccuracies in the county’s funding reduction claims, prompting a supervisor to withdraw support.

While supervisors intend to use the funds to offset lost revenue and increased healthcare costs, Kallander and the Taxpayers Association note the revenue will go into the county’s general fund without restriction. A state bill to allow the county to exceed tax limits is currently in the legislature, addressing another issue raised in the lawsuit, but the judge denied the request to remove the measure from the ballot entirely.

(Source：Headtopics)