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Measure G supporters winning SLO fundraising battle

October 8, 2014

sales taxBy JOSH FRIEDMAN

Supporters of Measure G, a proposed half-cent sales tax in San Luis Obispo for the next eight years, are easily winning the fundraising battle with their opponents, recently released campaign finance reports show.

As of Sept. 30, Measure G supporters have raised $21,013, while opponents of the tax initiative have raised $9,678. The Measure G proponents have more than $14,000 cash on hand, while the detractors have a little more than $1,000, according to campaign disclosure statements posted on the city website.

The Wallace Group is the leading donor to the yes on G effort, having given $1,200. Other major backers of the tax include Cannon Corporation, software company Mindbody, Tim Williams of Digital West Networks, residential development firm MFI Limited and Once Upon a Time LP, each of which have donated $1,000.

Several past and present city employees and council members have also donated to the pro-Measure G campaign.

Former San Luis Obispo council member Keith Gurnee is spearheading the opposition to Measure G. Gurney has contributed approximately $3,730, most of which he spent directly on campaign expenses.

The next largest donor to the effort to stop the sales tax is the San Luis Obispo Property and Business Owners’ Association, which has contributed $1,500. Other leading donors are San Luis Obispo residents Kevin Rice, Leslie Halls and Dia Hurd.

Rice has contributed $1,063 combined as an individual donor and through his committee Integrity SLO. Halls has donated $815, mostly in non–monetary contributions, while Hurd, has given $810, most of which came in the form of cash.


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Our government from the smallest entity to the federal government has devolved into a pay to play system. Politicians should not be entitled to a public pension and we as voters should insist on term limits. Say no to professional politicians.


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Let’s assume the right thing happens and measure G does not pass. You only have to look at Measure G’s supporters to know what will happen next. Measure G’s supporters are businesses and the Government. The Government will not cut costs to match new revenues. The Government will increase Business License Fees, Inspections, expand Parking Meters to the whole of SLO, institute and charge for residential parking passes, Police will ticket and arrest even more people, cal poly kids will be implanted with a chip and charged so the Police can track their whereabouts to more easily fine and ticket them. All of these actions the government will take to replace lost revenue, which of course is business unfriendly. Of course businesses will support the dumbing down and veiling of this revenue need through a “sales tax’ that gets spread over everyone.


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They will do all of that anyway, because no amount of money can ever satisfy them!


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And then I see the local newspaper is saying that MONICA IRONS, director of human resources in SLO has donated $500. There again is the IRONS machine at work!

The Irons family and cronies are certainly happy to cost us citizens more money in more ways! Ask those of us in Morro Bay dealing with the Irons!


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Look far enough and my guess is that you will see christine johnson or her husband lee johnson (who works for the city of slo) donating to the cause in slo as well. Agreeing with the irons clan, whatever the issue, likely keeps food on their table.


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The solution is simple: IF it passes start shopping online with Amazon Prime. Costs $100 per year, sales tax on only a few items and free shipping and video streaming. Your purchase arrives in two days for those who are impatient.

When you hit them where it hurts, in the pocketbook, they get the message. Saves time and gas also.


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You are so right. I have been shopping at Amazon for a long time. Many more will start avoiding local stores for the on line discounts and lack of sales tax on many items. Increasing our local tax rate hurts local business. All taxes force businesses to charge more. If local politicians really cared about the people they would lower our taxes not increase them.


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But remember what they say: This is really paid by the tourist and not the locals! lol Anyone buying this b*ll$h*t! Amazon and overstock is the way to go! Actually, once you get use to shopping on line and see all the options and recommendation statements, it is so easy and cool to do and you can sit with a nice glass of wine in hand!


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Absolutely. I routinely keep a “cart” open on Amazon. When I hit the magic $35.00 where free shipping kicks in, I place an order. Sometime it takes no waiting at all, sometimes a couple of weeks at most.


If Measure G passes, I am going to do just what you suggest. I’m also going to buy gas and groceries over the hill or in the south county.


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Remember, Measure G also only needs a simple majority to pass.


Its predecessor, Measure Y, passed with 64.77% of the vote. On average, for every person who opposed Measure Y, nearly two people voted for it. A majority of people seem to be satisfied with the results of Measure Y, so Measure G should also pass by a wide margin.


That is democracy at work.


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“A majority of people seem to be satisfied with the results of Measure Y”


Really? Off line your real name must be Katie Lichtig or Jan Marx. Only they, or one of the Chamberistas, could spout such nonsense.


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Bob, you have a lot to say about your former employer. Grab the bible and preach the gospel publicly and shit on everyone else secretly.


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A lot has changed since that last election. The research tells us that the economy is very fragile, the middle class is in financial decline, fixed income seniors are under stress, the working poor is growing, those getting started are weighted down with a lot of loan debt.

Citizens want to support their communities.

The problem becomes many citizen voters just cannot afford all these New Tax Increases at this time. Rapid Property Tax Increases or Rents Increasing, then add the ” Automatic Water and Sanitation Rate Increases and you have a formula for a lot of New Tax Increases that add up to one Really Big Heavy Tax Burden.


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falconbh, your statement is absolutely correct except for one thing: There is no doubt that most voters don’t read, understand, or don’t vote. And most probably don’t even care because they are struggling trying to stay afloat so they can pay for all these pensions and benefits for the government employees, trying to feed their families, pay for insurance, put gas in their car and try and save a dime. The politicians are hoping that the majority of the population don’t pay attention and just support their party, their candidates and continue to receive their handouts.


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Sadly, your statements are absolutely correct !


What gives me hope is that recently in the South County Area the Police Building Tax and New Fire Tax were both defeated by a large margin.


The old Government and Union Playbook, with the assistance of,” Paid Outside The Area Consultants”, were able to bait and switch the Voters by just scaring them with Police, Fire, Roads, and Schools.


I just do not believe that ‘Taxpayers Can Afford All These New Tax Increases.’


Vote In November. The Silent Revolt Is Growing Bigger and Stronger Each Day.


That Gives Me Hope.


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The serf class is being impressed into slavery by wealthy government elites.


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I was reading campaign contribution statements and noticed that many of the contributors are people who are in bed with the city. They have business connections with the city hall gravy train. Hmmmmmm ??????


The Wallace Group? Why is this dirty outfit supporting Measure G? Hmmmmm ???


What was also interesting were the number of former city executives who retired with $100,000+ pensions.


Debora Linden retired Police Chief – $166,000 per year

Ken Hampian retired City Manager – $162,000 per year

Bill Statler – retired Finance Director – $150,000 per year

Jim Gardiner – retired Police Chief – 142,000 per year


Hmmmm ??????????


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Well, obviously this tells the story. Remember the letter Ken Hampien, who was the City Manager along with Bill Statler – Finance Director, wrote the letter to all retiree employees to support, protect, and campaign to protect your pensions.


Bill Statler (retired Finance Director) and Ken Hampien created this Measure back in 2006 right before they both retired. The was their brain child and the taxpayers can thank them – oh yea, they did with their $100,000 plus a year pensions.


This money is going to Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Association projects, along with development for Client Pierce/Madonna Inc. and Grossman (Dalidio) Developers.


Anyone voting for this is throwing away money to special interests which we already do plenty of!


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“The Wallace Group? Why is this dirty outfit supporting Measure G?”


It’s pretty simple. Wallace is a developer in the airport area. He spoke at a recent council meeting and called G “supplemental money” for his development. Get it! He wants a free lunch. If he can get millions by contributing $1,200, that’s what business types call an investment. When you look at where the big donations are coming from, it’s clear most have to do with development in the new additions to the city, where G will provide subsidies. There’s an article here in CalCoastNews that explains it all.


By the way, the same big money is backing Marx, Christianson, and Rivoire for the council.


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I was reading campaign contribution statements and noticed that many of the contributors are people who are in bed with the city. They have business connections to the city hall gravy train.


The Wallace Group? Why is this dirty outfit supporting Measure G?


What was also interesting were the number of former city executives who retired with $100,000+ pensions.


Ken Hampian retired city manager- $162,000 per year

Debora


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Just follow the money and it gives each Voter a clear idea on who will really benefit with this New Sales Tax Increase.


The consultants are certainly running a stealth under the radar campaign because they realize that the facts do not support all these New Tax Increases and Automatic Rate Increases !


Make sure You Vote. Inform others in Your Communities.

Then ask yourself just one question: ” Can You Afford To Pay More New Tax Increases ?”


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