Gang-banged by Business

March 31, 2003

Dear Editor,

Proposition S would add a $225 annual tax bite to the present $104 school parcel tax passed a couple of years ago.

When various tax proposals were debated by the ad hoc school parcel tax committee in January, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, local business community and luxury hotels told the ad hoc parcel tax committee they would not support any tax that included a "cents per square foot" formula.

In fact, they threatened to oppose any proposal or formula that would require large, wealthy property owners and business interests to pay a "fair share" cents-per-square-foot tax on buildings.

Proposition S says all property owners will pay the same $225 additional tax whether they be the $100-million Water Garden, Santa Monica Place, a luxury beach front hotel, shopping center, office complex, empty lot in Malibu or a small Pico-neighborhood condo conversion. Senior property owners and landlords can be exempted while senior renters can't.

Business is supporting Proposition S. According to spokesman Seth Jacobson, "This is a first because it’s basically an issue that won't directly affect their business."

Since when? They bought off the parcel tax committee and saved themselves hundreds of thousands of dollars -- money that you and I will either make up for or that won't be collected, at all.

Seth Jacobson is a paid "consultant" hired by local businesses to help convince voters to pass the proposal, according to one local newspaper. He apparently was also hired by the hotels and business interests during last fall's election to pass the repeal of the living wage ordinance.

I believe the schools are needing and deserving of support, but years of budget shortfalls, city bailouts and incompetent district management are why we are in a crisis to begin with.

But, there are no cries for reform. And, like the business interests, the cities of Santa Monica and Malibu who should be "stepping to the plate" don't want to pay, either.

Supporting Proposition S is voting for continued budget shortfalls and district incompetence. The fact that the schools were pressured into putting another regressive, unfair and inadequate tax proposal before the voters is just one more in a series of bad decisions.

If the "Chamber" and local businesses want to help the schools let them voluntarily come forth with support for the schools. But, I haven't seen that happen Any charity from the business community seems to be for homeless causes.

You and I and all the other taxpayers are getting gang-banged by the businesses who are protecting their wallets and by the cities who are also protecting their own interests. Quite frankly, I'm tired of being victimized by self serving politicians and greedy special interests, alike

So when you see the Chamber and other business interests saying "Yes on S," just remember, they're not paying. You are.

Sincerely,

Mat Millen