JUST THE FACTS-As we slip toward the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016, some of our local elected officials are pushing for another sales tax increase. The current 9% sales tax rate for the Los Angeles area is just not enough money for many in elected office. So, in this time of financial uncertainty, they are nevertheless turning to the frustrated, over-taxed LA residents for more money.
The National Prime Rate may be on the verge of an increase, possibly in December, so some think it’s time to increase sales taxes in Los Angeles. You the voters will decide if you are willing to support it. With the minimum wage increasing over the next few years to $15 an hour in our region, some believe the time is right to hit us again with another a sales tax increase, promising to use the funds for transportation and related projects.
I ask you a simple question: are you a public transit rider? If so, you may find some minor benefit from a sales tax increase. While I seldom ride the public transit lines, I do have the senior tap card that gives me a low rate of either 35 or 75 cents a ride, depending on the time of day. The problem is that it is very slow and not very safe. While the cost is inexpensive for me, the benefits are not there.
The few times I have taken the Orange, Red or Blue Line, I have only seen the fare checker once, and he was with a Deputy Sheriff. On the other trips, I was left to defend myself against those who tried to identify me as an easy target. Being a retired member of law enforcement, I am trained to defend myself, but I know that many of you do not have that kind of training.
Another cost that is going up is your Los Angeles DWP bill – increasing by 4% as a start. Since we’ve all been so good at reducing our water use, the DWP has been experiencing lower revenues. They’ve decided that your reward for letting your lawn turn to dirt is to increase your water rate. This will be followed by more DWP rate increases over the next few years – specifically, $900 million more in power funds and an additional $230 million in water revenues. In short, you will be paying a lot more for water and power if you live in Los Angeles.
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The DWP’s voter-approved ratepayer advocate, Dr. Pickle, along with Controller Galperin are allegedly watching out for us. But what are they actually doing to protect us from these scheduled increases? How can they justify these increases? If they have published or said anything about it, I have not heard or seen it. And on the subject of Ron Galperin, the LA Times gave him a C grade in the following categories: Leadership and Effectiveness. He did a bit better with “Vision” – a C+. I guess with that kind of report card we should expect more effectiveness from him.
The property tax bills have been mailed out to property owners. Many of you may just look at the bottom line and pay the bill – and not pay attention to the individual items listed. You need to take a good look at where your property taxes are going.
Here’s an example of some of the details on a recent property tax bill. It’s not my home but the home of a friend who showed me his latest bill. He’s wondering how he’s going to pay it. My friend is married and both he and his wife work. They have one small child.
L.A. City $207.88
Metro Water District 31.59
LAUSD 1,170.82
Community College 322.74
Flood Control 35.10
MRCA Open Space 24.00
MRCA Fire 24.00
La County Vector Control 9.27
City Lighting Maintenance 81.72
L.A. Storm water 27.98
County Park District 7.26
L.A. City Park District 19.24
Trauma/Emergency Services 90.48
His total property tax bill for a 3-bedroom single family home in Los Angeles San Fernando Valley is $11,059.06.
Keep this in mind when you are asked to vote for more voter indebtedness. This is especially important for those of you on fixed income. If you are on Social Security you are receiving a 0% increase in your Social Security benefits. We are all stretching our dollars while City Hall thinks they can fix everything by increasing our taxes and fees.
(Dennis P. Zine is a 33 year member of the Los Angeles Police Department and former Vice-Chairman of the Elected Los Angeles City Charter Reform Commission, 12 year member of the Los Angeles City Council and current LAPD Reserve Officer. He writes Just the Facts for CityWatch. You can contact him at [email protected]) Edited for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.
-cw
CityWatch
Vol 13 Issue 90
Pub: Nov 6, 2015
