Lafayette Citizens for Tax Fairness
• The $2.2 Million “structural deficit” cited by Measure B proponents is based on assumptions about state cuts, not facts.
• Property owners are suffering the worst economic downturn in generations – plus precipitously lower income, home values and increased taxes at all levels. With 9 existing school property taxes we don’t need a 4th new school tax in 4 years.
• As enrollment declines continue, our Lafayette School District (“LSD”) should rightsize their administration, payroll, and costs. Promised staff reductions of under 4% hardly match painful sacrifices in the private sector or among working families.
• Proponents claim this tax will be only used for specified purposes. However, this allows funds previously allocated for critical programs to be redirected without transparency or accountability, adding annual overhead for audits and oversight.
• The consultant-driven District strategically selected a special May mail-in election, only weeks before the June general election, thereby guaranteeing the lowest voter turnout yet highest election costs to Taxpayers. All this, following a calculated fear campaign again threatening draconian cuts and promising exemptions to seniors – 28% of Lafayette homeowners — regardless of need, income or wealth.
• Measure B pretends to be a “temporary tax,” however Lafayette has yet to see a school tax expire; they only increase, like the 2008 elementary school tax at 237% of the prior expiring tax.
• Finally, voters approved another $313 Lafayette Elementary School District parcel tax ($332 now) only three years ago. Now the District wants even more. Enough is enough.
VOTE NO ON MEASURE B. DROP YOUR BALLOT AT THE LAFAYETTE METHODIST CHURCH 955 MORAGA ROAD, ON MAY 3RD BETWEEN 1PM AND 8 PM
