Letter to the Editor: Measures W, X Would Benefit All Students

» lou segal on 06.02.12 @ 07:51 AM

“Whether its a vital music program in elementary schools, increased foreign language opportunities, smaller classes or revitalized vocational and career opportunities, Measures W and X will benefit all of the 16,000 students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District and their families.”

This is absolutely not true. I would bet a significant amount of money that the author has exaggerated these claims greatly. These Measures will not benefit even a fraction of the 16,000 students in the District. Before voting for these Measures, ask for proof. I seriously doubt they can verify these claims, which is why you get these very general statements without any real facts to back it up. SB, if you want to continually tax yourselves and throw your hard earned money down a rathole, good luck.

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» Sy Prey on 06.02.12 @ 08:37 AM

FROM HOWARD JARVIS TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION:

“Local governments also frequently hire expensive consultants (at taxpayer expense) to tell them the best way to pass a parcel tax. These consultants often advise local officials not to publicize the parcel tax election to the entire community, but to target only their supporters. This means running a stealth election, communicating only with known tax supporters.

It is a frequent tactic used by local governments to schedule low turnout special elections for parcel tax measures, even though such elections are very expensive, in an effort to sneak through a parcel tax. For example, a majority of the local school parcel tax elections over the past few years have been low turnout special elections.

Since it is illegal for local officials to use public resources (including public funds) to urge a vote for or against a political issue, consultants frequently counsel parcel tax supporters on the best way to wage “information” campaigns. This often means putting up signs or sending out material stating all the “good things” a parcel tax will do, but stopping just short of telling people how to vote.

Parcel tax supporters also like to frequently engage in scare tactics to enhance their chances of passing a tax measure. Tax supporters attempt to “scare” voters into supporting a tax increase. Such scare tactics are frequently observed with parcel tax measures associated with public education, health, and public safety. Taxpayers should neither tolerate nor be intimidated by such scare tactics.

When addressing the public, parcel tax backers are frequently encouraged to put the annual cost in simple, friendly sounding terms that usually begin with “it’s only.” “It’s only a few cents a day,” or “it’s only a few dollars per month.” Officials try to make it sound like the coming property tax increase is trivial and that anyone who is opposed must be a cheapskate.

Newspapers can be another problem for taxpayers. While editors at a few papers may be sympathetic to the taxpayers’ cause, the vast majority of newspapers are almost universally hostile and will support most parcel tax increases proposed by local governments.

It is very important for taxpayers to prevent local parcel taxes from being initially imposed. Although most parcel taxes are imposed for a fixed period of time, statistics reveal that the vast majority of parcel taxes initially approved by voters are subsequently placed on the ballot by the local government in order to extend the tax. In many of these cases, the tax amount is increased in addition to being extended.

Thus, most parcel taxes that are initially approved effectively become permanent, and taxpayers should be very wary of claims made by tax proponents that a tax is a “temporary solution” to a funding “problem.” Taxpayers must expect any “temporary” parcel tax that is approved will be submitted for extension at some point in the future.”

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» lou segal on 06.03.12 @ 12:11 PM

Noleta res,

I didn’t make these unsupported claims that these Measures will benefit ALL of the 16,000 students in the District. That’s pretty nonsensical you would ask me to disprove an outrageous assertion by the author of this propaganda piece. Let’s see you prove it without having to lie.

FWIW, I rather be a Howard Jarvis screed than a member of a union (like you) ripping off the public and, most importantly, trying to justify the lousy education you’re providing the children in our public schools. You guys are a cancer in our society.

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» lou segal on 06.03.12 @ 06:19 PM

“FACT:  ALL SBUSD Elementary students receive music instruction.”

Are you saying without these Measures elementary students won’t receive music instruction? Of course not, students will still receive music instruction if they want it. BTW, what good is it if students receive music instruction if they can’t write a sentence or perform elementary math. These Measures benefit the educational bureaucracy and the teachers union far more than the students. Vote no.

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» lou segal on 06.03.12 @ 08:46 PM

sbres, give it up. Tell you what - why don’t you eliminate the SB County Board of Education (Cirone’s Dept) and use the money for music. Here is a question for you: Tell me one thing they do that benefits students? Stop being a mouthpiece for the union and the educational bureaucracy. You’re not fooling anyone.

Teaching writing and math helps students to learn writing and math. When the elementary schools prove they can do an adequate job in these two vital areas, maybe then we can talk about music.

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