Full Disclosure: I’m an outspoken Independent, who might be described as “fiscally conservative and socially liberal”. Viewed by anyone outside California, I would be seen as a “Moderate Democrat”, and locally, I’ve been described as everything from a right wing fascist to a liberal snowflake. I probably self identify with Libertarians in many ways, but “Moderate Democrat” is pretty accurate in the broad sense. But I’m definitely independent, and don’t align lock step with any party affiliation. Notes added where I felt like adding some. Some of these positions I really didn’t care that much about (or research) so I usually went with a non incumbent Democrat when in doubt.
Presidential Primary: Bloomberg
U.S. Representative in Congress 18th District: Eshoo
U.S. Representative in Congress 20th District: Panetta
State Senator, 17th District: Laird
Member of the Assembly 29th District: Banerjee (Mark Stone sucks!)
Member of the Assembly 30th District: Rivas
Superior Court Judge Office 1: Gordon (Remember the name!)
First District County Supervisor: Koenig (John Leopold sucks!)
Second District County Supervisor: Pick your poison. They both suck.
Fifth District County Supervisor: McPherson
Santa Cruz City Council Recall Election
- Recall Drew Glover: YES
- Candidate to replace Drew Glover: Golder
- Recall Chris Krohn: YES
- Candidate to replace Chris Krohn: Lane
Links to local Measures on the March 2020 ballot.
- Measure R – Cabrillo Community College District bond – 55% approval needed
My Take: There are currently two bonds on local property owner tax bills for Cabrillo College, one which lasts until 2039. This would be another 30+ year tax to all property owners, lasting until at least 2051. Currently Cabrillo College has fewer than 12,000 students enrolled with less than 12% actually graduating in 2019. The student enrollment has been decreasing and is projected to continue to decrease with fewer new families moving into this area. VOTE NO
- Measure M – Aromas-San Juan Unified School District bond – 55% approval needed
My Take: This reauthorizes $4.2 million of previously approved bonds. This will be done without increasing the District’s total authorized debt, while at the same time saving taxpayers millions of dollars and guaranteeing significant taxpayer protections. VOTE YES
- Measure S – San Lorenzo Valley School District bond – 55% approval needed
My Take: This measure imposes a debt burden of $150.5 million on all property owners in the district. Two existing bond measures were previously passed to repair, upgrade and construct new buildings. Examples are the Library and Performing Arts Center in 2008. These expenses should be funded from the approximately $100 million plus annual revenue stream. Student enrollment at San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District has been declining in recent years according to online published data. VOTE NO
- Measure T – Santa Cruz High School parcel tax – 2/3 approval needed
My Take: This measure basically combines and replaces two existing bond measure due to expire in 2021 and 2024. The measure proposes a parcel tax in the amount of $110 per parcel annually to take effect July 1, 2020. The School District anticipates this tax would raise $3.7 million annually. This parcel tax does not have an end date and would continue indefinitely until ended by voters. In the June 2012 election, voters approved Measure I which authorized a parcel tax of $38 for a period of eight years, from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2021. In the November 2015 election, voters approved Measure O which authorized a parcel tax of $72 for a period of eight years, from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2024. The current measure would combine and replace these two existing parcel taxes. My biggest concern is the lack of an expiration date. I’m not supporting a perpetuity tax. Voting no will will allow the two existing bond measures to run their life cycle until a better proposal (with an expiration date) can be delivered to voters. VOTE NO
- Measure U – Santa Cruz Elementary School parcel tax – 2/3 approval needed
My Take: Much like Measure T above, this measure seeks to basically combine 3 different existing parcel taxes, all with expiration dates ranging from 2021-2024. This measure proposes a parcel tax in the amount of $208 per parcel annually to take effect July 1, 2020. The School Districts anticipate this tax would raise $3.2 million annually. This parcel tax does not have an end date and would continue indefinitely until ended by voters. The School Districts seek to combine and replace several parcel taxes currently in effect. In the June 2012 election, voters approved Measure J, a parcel tax of $85, for a period of eight years, from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2021. In the November 2015 election, voters approved two additional measures for a period of eight years, from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2024. For the Elementary School District, voters approved Measure P, a parcel tax of $105. For the High School District, voters approved Measure O, a parcel tax of $72, a portion of which has been used to maintain middle school educational programs. If the current measure passes, all three of the above measures would end. Again, my concern is the new measure basically seeks to combine basically all of the existing parcel taxes into perpetuity and remove any expiration dates (or until the voter ends them). Again, not supporting any perpetuity taxes. VOTE NO
- Measure V – Soquel Elementary School District parcel Tax – 2/3 approval needed
My Take: The Board of Trustees of the Soquel Union Elementary School District (“the School District”) proposes a parcel tax in the amount of $96 per parcel annually for a period of six years, beginning July 1, 2020. The School District anticipates this tax would raise $1,500,000 annually. It amounts to about $100 per year for 6 years. The accountability of how it will be spent is vague. VOTE NO
- Measure W – City of Santa Cruz public works construction – Majority vote needed
My Take: If approved by the voters, the proposed Charter amendment would enable the City to use design-build or other best value project delivery methods in addition to the traditional design-bid-build process for public works construction. The City Council unanimously approved placing this measure on the ballot. It basically streamlines the bidding process on public works construction projects. VOTE YES
- Measure X – City of Santa Cruz creating trustee areas for school board – Majority vote needed
My Take: Voting “Yes” facilitates the transition from at-large to trustee-area School Board board elections. Since I’m generally a fan of district elections, VOTE YES
- Measure Y – City of Watsonville sales tax for public safety – 2/3 vote needed
My Take: It’s about renewing a half cent sales tax that brings in about $4 million for public safety programs. I’m good with that. VOTE YES
- Measure Z – City of Scotts Valley sales tax – Majority vote
My Take: A “yes” vote on this Measure is a vote in favor of eliminating the existing 0.50% sales tax and adopting a 1.25% sales tax, resulting in a new sales tax of 9.75%. This tax would last 12 years. The current sales tax rate is 9%. Focused on public safety improvements and infrastructure. VOTE YES