Measure U makes no sense, writes Nancy B. Macy, a 50-year resident of Boulder Creek. The measure asks voters in the San Lorenzo Valley Water District to reverse a recent water bill hike and cap future charges. Macy sees the measure as shortsighted and foolish and against all the advice of experts. “Was the structure of the rate increase responsible? Thoughtfully designed by experts? Legally adopted? Is the rate increase necessary and was it carefully considered with public input and adapted to customer needs? Yes, yes, yes and yes!” she writes, while urging a no vote.
Nov. 5 2024 ballot measures
Coverage of local and state measures on the ballot for Santa Cruz County voters in the 2024 general election.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Yes on Capitola, Scotts Valley and school bond measures
Yes, tax bites do mount up, bit by bit. Yet, they are essential to keep local governments and our schools moving forward, meeting these anxious times. The Lookout Editorial Board supports both Capitola’s and Scotts Valley’s tax increases, and those of the six local districts seeking approval.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Soda industry has spent more than $1.2 million to defeat Santa Cruz sugary drink tax
A campaign funded by some of the country’s biggest soft drink companies to defeat Measure Z, a proposed sugary drink tax in the City of Santa Cruz, has spent more than $1.2 million so far, according to campaign finance reports filed this week. With less than two weeks before the Nov. 5 election, supporters of the measure had reported spending only $43,000.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Yes on V – let’s add diversity and untapped community voices to Watsonville boards and commissions
The Lookout Editorial Board endorses Measure V, which would expand eligibility to serve on commissions and boards to all Watsonville residents, regardless of voting status. The board sees this as a vote for diversity, inclusion and part of the wave of the future for California cities and counties.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
How inflation concerns could doom California’s proposition to increase minimum wage
Opponents of Proposition 32 to increase the statewide minimum wage to $18 an hour are running ads focused on the cost of living. Proponents are not reaching out to voters very much. And polls show declining support.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
A Lookout View: Yes on Z – let’s stand up for community health
Measure Z, the “sugary drink tax,” has raised high emotion and big money in the city of Santa Cruz and is a potential litmus test for the state’s 2018 Keep Groceries Affordable Act. The Lookout Editorial Board endorses a yes vote. We think it’s good for overall community health and for the city’s needy coffers.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
No on Prop 36: It is misleading and would take us back to mass incarceration
California’s Proposition 36 would undo all the good diversion and anti-recidivism work that has happened in communities since 2014’s Prop 47, argue community activists Angelee Dion, Julia Gratton and Pam Sexton. It would, they say, cost taxpayers tens of billions of dollars for prisons, court costs and local jails and slash millions from anti-recidivism, school-based prevention programs and services for survivors of crime. They urge a no vote.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Yes on Prop 36: Let’s help make our community safe from drugs, theft and crime
California’s Proposition 36 will help undo ineffective attempts at diversion put in place by Prop 47 in 2014, argue Renee Golder, vice mayor of Santa Cruz, and Bernie Escalante, chief of the Santa Cruz Police Department. “Over the past decade, Santa Cruz has faced a significant rise in large encampments, drug overdoses, and retail theft,” they write. “The Ross Camp and Benchlands illustrate the city’s struggles with homelessness and public safety.” It’s time, they say, for a reboot.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California crime measure Prop 36 could increase deportations, advocates warn
The Proposition 36 ballot initiative would turn certain thefts and drug crimes into felonies, potentially helping expel some immigrants.
Posted inEducation
How will Santa Cruz County school districts be affected, if at all, if Proposition 2 passes?
If approved by California voters, Proposition 2 would allow the state to borrow $10 billion to help schools and colleges to fund repairs and construction. Santa Cruz County superintendents talked to Lookout about what they can expect for their districts.