Editor,
The Yes on Measure W campaign has hit a new low in campaign ethics with their mailers. Several different versions extoll “the benefits” of the transportation measure. However, at no point do the mailers ever disclose that Measure W is a tax increase. Voters are being lulled by the implicit promise that all these “benefits” are free.
The reason why “benefits” is in quotes is because it’s a lie. Take for example the pothole mailer. Only two of the twenty cities in San Mateo County have Pavement Condition Index numbers below the acceptable threshold. One passed Measure I in 2016 to bring their roads up to par. Trying to give the impression of a massive problem is false
Another mailer talks about giving people with disabilities a lift. Everyone agrees with this need. Yet the transportation agency can’t find the money in its billions from the recent bridge toll hike, Measure A (expires in 2033), the gas tax (more than $10B over twenty five years), and the gas tax increase in 2017. If billions added to billion have not been used to solve the most basic problems it’s disingenuous to suggest that more will.
Stretching the truth may be politics — but we have rules in California! The Measure W campaign, San Mateo County neighbors for congestion relief, has a misleading name. The public agencies and large companies promoting W need to respect voters by telling the basic story, i.e. that these “benefits” are funded by an additional sales tax. And the Fair Political Practices Commission should look into why the committee’s name does not specify it “supports Measure W.” Our district attorney should look into whether these mailers violate the minimal standards for truth-in-advertising.
Gladwyn d’Souza
Belmont
The letter writer is an environmentalist and member of the committee opposing Measure W.
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(4) comments
Our government leaders seemingly have no qualms about using our taxpayer funds to campaign for tax increases, or to campaign for or against any measure as it benefits them. The SamTrans board, the body behind the tax measure, is chaired by Charles Stone, Belmont councilman and current candidate for reelection. Under his guidance the city of Belmont followed this same unethical practice of using taxpayer money to campaign for Belmont’s Measure I sales tax, and now this election’s measure KK Hotel tax.
Government Code Section 8314 clearly states: “It is unlawful for any elected state or local officer, including any state or local appointee, employee, or consultant, to use or permit others to use public resources for a campaign activity, or personal or other purposes which are not authorized by law.” http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&division=1.&title=2.∂=&chapter=5.&article=
Whether or not a measure is worthy is not the issue. Using taxpayer money to persuade voters to endorse them is just plain wrong and violates the spirit, and perhaps the letter, of Section 8314.
Great letter to the editor! Providing more money via Measure W or any other proposition asking for money is the same as giving a drug user more money to buy drugs. Once they're hooked, they can't stop, and they'll do anything to keep the supply coming in, by hook or by crook. Ethics and laws will be ignored, as long as the money train keeps rolling in.
I can attest to being misled by SSF Measure W in 2015. It's ONLY half a penny we were told by the city council. They've already spent the money in 3 years it has been collected for a Civic Campus not the 'potholes' we were told would fix which was already funded by Measure K.
San Mateo's Measure W is repeating the tired worn misinformation to get it through.
I voted NO on W in 2015 and voted NO on W in 2018
TIRED of more taxes, vote NO!
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