Santa Clara County Voting Guide. November 8, 2022 General Election. Local Measures Edition.

Measure A

Morgan Hill

What it Does: Prohibits using buildings for new storage and distribution facilities in all areas of the city.

Our Endorsement: Undecided.

Explanation: We were unable to find much information about Measure A, but one of our sources mentioned that this measure might be an attempt to limit the expansion of Amazon and other shipping centers into Morgan Hill. However, we do not have enough information to confirm this suspicion. If you are a Morgan Hill voter, we encourage you to contact local leaders and community members for better insight into this measure.

Measure B

Morgan Hill

What it Does: Requires the city to put forward a public vote if they want to reduce the number of lanes on Monterey Road.

Our Endorsement: Vote NO

Explanation: This measure was added to the ballot to make it harder for the city of Morgan Hill to reduce the number of lanes on Monterey Road, one of their most high traffic streets. Whether you agree or disagree with the idea of a lane reduction, requiring a vote anytime the city wants to change the number of lanes on a road is not the best use of taxpayer money and government time. We recommend voting NO on Measure B.

Measure C

Saratoga

What it Does: Establishes a 2-term limit for members of the Saratoga City Council.

Our Endorsement: Vote YES

Explanation: In 1992 Saratoga voters approved a non-binding advisory measure limiting the terms that Saratoga City Council members could serve to 2 terms. This measure aims to codify that and also specifies the definitions of some partial terms that may contribute to that 2-term limit. In South Bay local politics, political players tend to stay in office for a long time, which doesn’t leave a lot of room for fresh perspectives. Term limits can be a good way to combat that.

Measure D

Gilroy

What it Does: Updates the existing City of Gilroy charter to modernize the current public construction process.

Our Endorsement: Vote YES

Explanation: This measure would update a part of the Charter that deals with handling of public construction projects. Specifically, it increases the “bidding threshold” from $35K to $200K, which is consistent with state requirements. (The bidding threshold is the amount at which the city needs to go through a formal contractor comparison process which can add weeks to a project.) The measure also establishes an authority to procure contracts and removes the requirement for the city to inform the public about projects through newspapers. While we’re not construction experts, it seems reasonable to want to speed up public projects and this measure would allow for electronic updates to the public, so we recommend voting “Yes”.

Measure E

Patterson Joint Unified School District

What it Does: Approves a bond for $74 million to expand vocational career and technical education facilities, increase labs and training sites to prepare students for college and future jobs, and build new classrooms to relieve overcrowding.

Our Endorsement: Vote YES

Explanation: Measure E creates a new bond measure to fund school improvements. Due to CA Prop 13 (enacted in 1978), school districts are limited in the ways they can raise much-needed revenue for public schools. Bond measures are one key way that schools raise funds from property tax to maintain school quality. Confused about different kinds of school taxes? Check out our explainer!

Measure F

Milpitas

What it Does: Establishes a Limit of 10 consecutive years of service as Mayor and City Councilmember, and a Limit of 6 years of service for Mayors followed by 2 years where they can’t serve as either Mayor or Councilmember

Our Endorsement: Vote Yes

Explanation: In South Bay local politics, political players tend to stay in office for a long time, which doesn’t leave a lot of room for fresh perspectives. Term limits can be a good way to combat this issue. Right now, Councilmembers can serve up to 3 consecutive 4 year-terms, and also extend their service by serving as Mayor afterward, making for a potential total of 14 back-to-back years. Meanwhile, a Mayor is allowed to serve 3 consecutive 2-year terms, and also then run for a Councilmember spot, which would total 10 years of service. Measure F would help limit political stagnation.

Measure G

Santa Clara

What it Does: Amends the City Charter to align legal language with existing city practices. Specifically, this is an amendment to the section of the city charter that deals with how the city transfers money from the utility fund to the general fund.

Our Endorsement: Vote Yes

Explanation: There’s already an existing passage in the charter about how money can be transferred from the utility fund to the general fund of the city, and this amendment just updates some of the language in the section. It is a matter of legal language, and is not expected to make any changes for citizens, BUT not passing this will make it harder for the city to have enough funds to pay for services.

Measure H

Santa Clara

What it Does: Increases taxes on businesses ($45/employee/year = 2.2 cents/hour) and landlords ($15/unit if you own 3 or more). Caps the annual amount payable of this tax at $350,000. Adjusts the tax annually for inflation.

Our Endorsement: Vote Yes

Explanation: Santa Clara’s budget has a large deficit from covid-related losses, and making up the deficit will have to come from various sources. To be honest, right now it seems like a situation in which both increased taxes and cutting jobs/services may be unavoidable. As a starting point for dealing with the problem, updating an old, unadjusted-for-inflation business tax seems like a reasonable move, and based on the numbers, it shouldn’t be a big increase for businesses or consumers/tenants, at only $45/year/employee and $12/year/unit for landlords. Fearmongering about this tax increase raising cost-of-living for everyone is overblown, and while no one loves a tax increase, circumstances have made it necessary for the city.

Measure I

San Jose

What it Does: Removes requirements from the City Charter for specific Commission members to be electors and/or citizens. Removes gender-specific language in the charter. Requires equity assessments during decision-making.

Our Endorsement: Vote YES

Explanation: There are a lot of parts to this Measure, but the overall goal is to make the City Charter more inclusive and representative for the residents of San Jose. Removing the citizenship requirement for Commission membership will allow government representation for a large number of SJ residents who aren’t citizens. The Measure also includes a statement endorsing racial and social equality and justice, codifying the city’s support for these values.

Measure J

Los Gatos

What it Does: Changes business taxes to increase flat taxes by 30% (adjusted annually

for inflation), increase retailing gross receipts tax by 40%, add e-commerce to the gross receipts tax schedule and increase that schedule by 120%.

Our Endorsement: Undecided

Explanation: This is a tricky one. On the one hand, this measure is updating tax rates that haven’t been adjusted since 1991. On the other hand, it was unclear to us what the funds would be used for. Also, the measure would also be upping taxes on what could be small businesses in LG. While we support the idea of bringing money into the city’s general fund (estimated at $1,100,000 yearly), we’re not 100% sure that it’s a good bill overall. If you are a Los Gatos voter, we suggest reaching out to community leaders for more information.

Measure K

Palo Alto

What it Does: Creates a business tax of 7.5 cents/sq. Ft. Total tax would be capped at $500,000 a year. Exemptions for small businesses, grocery stores, residential or vacant buildings, non-profits, schools, and financial institutions.

Our Endorsement: Vote Yes

Explanation: Currently businesses in Palo Alto are not required to pay taxes to contribute to city services. This tax would fund public safety, affordable housing, rail crossing safety, homeless services, and general city services. Vote Yes on Measure K to support Palo Alto’s city services.

Measure L

Palo Alto

What it Does: Formalizes the city's long-running practice of annually transferring no more than 18% of city's natural gas utility gross revenues to its general fund

Our Endorsement: Vote Yes

Explanation: We support this measure because:

1. It won’t change natural gas costs.

2. It would help Palo Alto pay for general services like road maintenance, emergency services, fire safety, etc.

3. It would prevent natural gas profits from subsidizing the cost of gas. This makes gas and electric utilities closer in rate, and hopefully encourages folks to switch to electric, which is better for the environment. It is important to note that not all people have the option of switching from gas to electric, which means that in theory, this measure will prevent their costs from going down. But the overall benefits are positive here and we recommend voting yes.

Measure M

Loma Prieta Joint Union School District

What it Does: Adds an annual $348/parcel tax for 8 years. Money will be used for funding STEAM education, retaining/recruiting teachers, and supporting classroom technology needs.

Our Endorsement: Vote Yes

Explanation: Measure M creates a new parcel tax to fund school improvements. Due to CA Prop 13 (enacted in 1978), school districts are limited in the ways they can raise much-needed revenue for public schools. Parcel taxes are one key way that schools raise funds from property tax to maintain school quality. Confused about different kinds of school taxes? Check out our explainer!

Measure N

East Side Union High School District

What it Does: District can borrow money for elementary/middle schools without raising taxes. Money will be used for career/technical education facilities, science lab renovation, and technology upgrades.

Our Endorsement: Vote Yes

Explanation: Measure N creates a new bond measure to fund school improvements. Due to CA Prop 13 (enacted in 1978), school districts are limited in the ways they can raise much-needed revenue for public schools. Bond measures are one key way that schools raise funds from property tax to maintain school quality. Confused about different kinds of school taxes? Check out our explainer!

Measure O

Campbell Union High School District

What it Does: Renews an existing parcel tax. Money will be used to continue funding

academic and career-training programs for students, attract and retain qualified teachers and specialists, provide student mental health services, and maintain manageable class sizes.

Our Endorsement: Vote Yes

Explanation: Measure O continues a parcel tax already in effect, instead of creating a whole new tax. Due to CA Prop 13 (enacted in 1978), school districts are limited in the ways they can raise much-needed revenue for public schools. Parcel taxes are one key way that schools raise funds from property tax to maintain school quality. Confused about different kinds of school taxes? Check out our explainer!

Measure P

Oak Grove School District

What it Does: District can borrow money for elementary/middle schools without raising taxes. Money will be used for modernizing classrooms; increasing school safety; improving technology quality, lab quality, and facility quality; and locally matching state grants.

Our Endorsement: Vote Yes

Explanation: Measure P creates a new bond measure to fund school improvements. Due to CA Prop 13 (enacted in 1978), school districts are limited in the ways they can raise much-needed revenue for public schools. Bond measures are one key way that schools raise funds from property tax to maintain school quality. Confused about different kinds of school taxes? Check out our explainer!

Measure R

Union School District

What it Does: District can borrow money for elementary and middle schools without raising taxes. Money will be used for school health and safety systems, fixing roofs, plumbing, electrical, removing asbestos/lead pipes, and increasing STEAM labs, classrooms, etc.

Our Endorsement: Vote Yes

Explanation: Measure R creates a new bond measure to fund school improvements. Due to CA Prop 13 (enacted in 1978), school districts are limited in the ways they can raise much-needed revenue for public schools. Bond measures are one key way that schools raise funds from property tax to maintain school quality. Confused about different kinds of school taxes? Check out our explainer!

Measure S

Alum Rock Union School District

What it Does: Reauthorizes bonds that were approved in 2012. Money will be used for improving STEAM classrooms, classroom technology, building below market rate teacher and staff rental housing, and student safety and campus security.

Our Endorsement: Vote Yes

Explanation: Measure S reauthorizes bonds that already exist. Due to CA Prop 13 (enacted in 1978), school districts are limited in the ways they can raise much-needed revenue for public schools. Bond measures are one key way that schools raise funds from property tax to maintain school quality. Confused about different kinds of school taxes? Check out our explainer!

Measure T

Campbell Union School District

What it Does: Without raising taxes, the district can borrow money for elementary and middle schools. Money will be used for science, technology, and

math classrooms and labs; instructional technology; fixing leaky roofs, wiring, plumbing, and fire and security systems; and improved accessibility for students with disabilities.

Our Endorsement: Vote Yes

Explanation: Measure T creates a new bond measure to fund critical school improvements. Due to CA Prop 13 (enacted in 1978), school districts are limited in the ways they can raise much-needed revenue for public schools. Bond measures are one key way that schools raise funds from property tax to maintain school quality. Confused about different kinds of school taxes? Check out our explainer!

Taxes can get confusing! Here’s a quick explainer to help you make sense of them.

Why school taxes?

Prior to the 1970s, school districts could use property taxes to adequately fund their schools. CA Prop 13 (enacted in 1978) banned the collection of property taxes and required future new taxes to receive a two-thirds of the public vote, making even necessary tax laws significantly harder to pass. In addition, Prop 13 also greatly reduced the overall stream of existing property taxes flowing into schools. In response, districts have grown heavily reliant on bonds and parcel taxes to sufficiently fund schools. Without enough funding, schools face budget cuts and drops in quality of education.

This election, the School District Measures are E, M, N, O, P, R, S, and T.

Parcel Tax

Parcel taxes are used for general district operating expenses as a way to supplement insufficient state funding for programs that are important to a community. Parcel taxes require 2/3 voter approval to pass, which makes them difficult to enact. They are used only for operating expenses (rather than capital improvements, as in the case of bond measures). Parcel taxes are either assessed as a flat fee per parcel (ie. per property or home) or on the basis of square footage—the larger the property, the more you pay.

This election, the School District Measures M and O cover school parcel taxes.

Bond Measure

In a bond election, voters decide whether to authorize a school district to issue bonds in a specified amount. Investors who buy the bonds are paid back, with interest. In effect, you are letting the district borrow money to pay for capital improvements. Bond measures require a simple majority vote. A local school bond measure generates funds for repair, construction or replacement of school facilities. These kinds of improvements cannot be paid for by parcel taxes, so bonds are necessary alongside parcel taxes to cover all the needs of a school district.

This election, the School District Measures E, N, P, R, S, and T cover school bond measures.