Here are 8 reasons SLO sales tax Measure G-20 is good for all city residents

Our community has never experienced a threat as menacing to our lives and livelihoods as this pandemic. But time and again, we have seen San Luis Obispo residents pull together to solve daunting challenges.

In that collaborative spirit, we urge SLO city voters to once again pull together and approve Measure G-20 on this fall’s ballot. Measure G-20 asks voters to extend the current half-cent sales tax rate, and approve a net increase of 1% — a mere penny on the dollar.

This will add up to $20 million a year to shore up essential city services and help local businesses and employees recover.

About 70% of the pennies will be paid by non-residents — the thousands of visitors who shop and dine in our city every day. With non-residents paying their fair share, SLO residents do not have to shoulder the entire burden of caring for our community.

Measure G-20 revenues will benefit all residents, including our most vulnerable neighbors, by supporting a broad array of programs, including after-school child care, homeless services, affordable housing and more. Meanwhile, essential purchases like groceries, prescription medications, medical devices, gasoline, utilities and housing will remain exempt from this sales tax.

Some might be concerned that Measure G-20 is regressive, but it’s worth noting that Measure G-20 will support programs that might otherwise be unaffordable.

Here are eight reasons we believe Measure G-20 is a good deal for all city residents:

Self reliance, local control: We cannot count on Washington or Sacramento to help us; we must rely on ourselves.

Help for businesses and employees: Businesses thrive in communities that are safe and provide excellent services. Measure G-20 will invest in local businesses so they can survive, expand and increase local jobs.

Health and safety: Measure G-20 will ensure wildfire and natural disaster preparedness, as well as ensure speedy emergency response times.

Environmental protection, climate action: Measure G-20 will protect open space and natural areas, including our creeks, and support investment in climate action initiatives.

Roads, traffic and infrastructure: Measure G-20 will be used to repave streets, fix potholes, reduce traffic congestion, expand bike lanes and build critical infrastructure.

Homeless services: The pandemic has worsened our housing and homelessness crisis; Measure G-20 will support affordable housing and mental-health services.

Transparency and accountability: Measure G-20 requires an independent oversight committee, annual audits and community input to ensure wise spending. If the City Council fails to manage it responsibly, voters can repeal Measure G-20 at any time.

Visitors pay fair share: Historically, visitors have paid more than 70% of sales tax revenue, thus paying their fair share and relieving the burden on SLO residents.

With the passage of Measure G-20, SLO’s tax rate will still be the same or lower than many California cities including Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Monterey. It’s likely that SLO also will remain on par with much of the rest of our county, as similar measures are on the ballot in Paso Robles, Atascadero, Grover Beach and Morro Bay.

Recognizing the severity of our current economy, the city has reduced its total payroll since the pandemic hit. Additionally, over the last decade, the city has steadily reduced salary and pension benefits as a portion of its annual operating budget.

San Luis Obispo’s quality of life is not an accident. It’s the product of our residents’ strength, compassion and resiliency, and it requires continuous support, especially during times of crisis.

Measure G-20’s opponents acknowledge the current crisis, but they fail to offer a credible path forward. In effect, they are choosing to sit on the sidelines and shout NO.

These extraordinary times demand action. Measure G-20 is an affordable path forward, a way to help ourselves and control our destiny.

While we are voters with different political perspectives and economic interests, we are 100% united in our enthusiastic support of Measure G-20.

Please join us and vote yes on Measure G-20 for a healthy San Luis Obispo.

The authors represent SLO Citizens for Measure G, a coalition of business and civic leaders passionate about San Luis Obispo’s long-term vitality. To see who is endorsing Measure G-20, and for answers to frequently asked questions, please go to www.slomeasureg.com

Jim Duffy is president and chief executive officer of Ten Over Studio. Donna Lewis is vice president of Mortgage Lending for Guaranteed Rate and Board Chair for the SLO Food Bank. Chris Richardson is president of Richardson Properties. Sandi Sigurdson is a nonprofit executive director, most recently for Leadership San Luis Obispo.

This story was originally published September 24, 2020 at 5:30 AM.