Measure B on ballot needs two-third
’s support
As the March 2 election nears, more and more read signs proclaiming “Yes on B for Books and Hours: Keep our Library Strong” are popping up all over town. The campaign to pass Measure B is moving into high gear, yet the measure has opposition.
Library officials, library commissioners and library fans all warn that, if the measure fails, county libraries will see severe cuts in hours and new materials. Opponents of the tax say in their rebuttal statement that the librarians are “playing Chicken Little and crying the sky is falling …”
Measure B will appear on the ballots of voters living in Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Martin – as part of the unincorporated area of Santa Clara County – plus Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno and Saratoga. Voters will be asked to approve a tax of $42 per year per homeowner for each of seven years.
Two-thirds of voters casting ballots need to approve the measure for it to become law.
The tax replaces a 10-year fee for $33.66 already found on property tax bills, due to expire in 2005. The increase would amount to $8.34 a year for each residedntial parcel. Opponents look at the extension and increase in another way.
“Measure B seeks to extend this tax and increases it by 25 percent,” the rebuttal states. Rebuttal statements were submitted by H. R. Strong, chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County; George M. Swenson, president, Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association; Jack E. Davis, Central Committee Republican Party and Morgan Hill’s Mark Hinkle, past chair, Libertarian Party of California. Swenson has been an unsuccessful candidate for the Morgan Hill School Board.
The rebuttal statement tries to make it clear that they are not against library services.
“Rather it’s who gets to determine who pays for what services,” the statement said. “Landowners are on a merry-go-round and if nonresidents, they don’t even get to vote – what happened to no taxation without representation?”
The county library Joint Powers Authority – the governing body composed of representatives from each city’s council – voted in December to form a Special Facilities District. That the measure is voted on by registered voters and not just property owners is a California state law.
“A vote for Measure B must be a vote of registered voters residing within the boundaries of the district,” officials said.
Measure B proponents, including Morgan Hill City Librarian Nancy Howe, say that, if B fails, library hours will be cut from the present 54 (at Morgan Hill) down to as little as 30, mostly morning hours and, possibly, all of Monday. Among the list of likely reductions are storytelling and after-school activities; new book, video, CD and magazine purchases would also be curtailed by as much as $700,000, library officials say. The current tax (benefit assessment) raises $5.2 million annually and pays 21 percent of all costs.
“Why should landowners pay for ‘baby-sitting,” the rebuttal said. “When did our libraries turn into VHS/CD/DVD rental stores, where rentals are free? When did they turn into Internet cafes, where Internet access is free? Most government is open five days/week. Why 24/7 for libraries? Although more services are great, it is wrong to ask for more when you don’t pay because you’re not a landowner.”
Measure B proponents say the money is well spent – and spent locally.
“All money raised from a city is returned to the city’s library for staff costs and library materials,” officials said.
“Since the demand for service will not drop, the impact on the public would be seen immediately (after 2005) in closed doors, longer lines waiting for service, crowding and unavailable materials.”
The Yes on Measure B effort in Morgan Hill is lead by Councilman Steve Tate and Library Commission Chairwoman Jeanne Gregg. Gregg tried to put the tax in perspective.
“It’s less than $9 a year,” Gregg said. “It’s the cost of one video rental or a paperback book. And library users get so much for their money.”
She also pointed out that, except for roads, few taxable programs benefit more people than public libraries.
“Everyone, of every age, can use their public library,” Gregg said.
Gregg and Tate also wanted to make it clear that a vote for Measure B is a vote only to keep the current libraries operating at near the same level. It is not a vote for a new library building. That effort is ongoing but separate.
County library website: www.santaclaracountylib.org/ Yes on B: www.Yesonb.org/ No on B: www.VoteNoOnB.us/
