By Barbara Zivica

Worried about paying bills, losing your job, holding onto your home? Politicians don’t worry about budget deficits they‘re responsible for. They’ve got a simple solution….. raising OUR taxes to pay for THEIR fiscal mismanagement!

Here’s my analysis on some of the ballot measures that will appear on the November ballot. If all pass, consider the TOTAL hit to your budget and the warning notice below.

MEASURE A – the Contra Costa Community District Parcel tax ($11 for six years, 2/3 voter approval required) to provide Diablo Valley College, Contra Costa College, Los Medanos College, and the Brentwood and San Ramon Centers with “funds that cannot be taken by the state, maintain high quality education, support course offerings and instruction programs, including healthcare, technology and public safety, increase access to support services and prepare students for university transfer.” This ballot measure includes everything but the kitchen sink! NOTE: In September, Los Medanos College put out a legal notice inviting pre-qualified contractors to bid on a $10 to $15 million student services remodel, project subject to a Project Stability Agreement (PSA) between the college district and the CCC Building and Construction Trades Council. Such agreements are discriminatory because they exclude non union workers and can raise the cost of a project by 12 to 18%.

MEASURE Q – the Contra Costa County Fire Department’s proposed seven year $75 parcel tax (2/3 voter approval required) . The parcel tax, which has been said to equate to a $1.44 daily cup of McDonald’s coffee, would merely, according to the county civil grand jury, be a short term fix. Without the tax the District projects a budget deficit of $13 million next year and with the tax a $2 million deficit in budget year 2015/16. NOTE: The Grand Jury recommended the county’s fire districts consolidate, lowering operational costs, abandon outdated delivery models and address rising labor costs and pension liabilities.

Measure B – Antioch School Facilities Improvement District #1 – a $56.5M bond measure (55% voter approval required) . This is the third go around at the ballot box for the AUSD. Voters passed Measure C, the $61,600,000 June 2008 school facilities improvement bond measure, but Measure G, the June 2012 $59.5 million bond measure, bulk of the funds going to Antioch High’s modernization, failed by a narrow margin at the ballot box. Measure B is a repeat of Measure J but with all the funds going to modernize Antioch High. (The latest release of API scores shows Antioch High coming in with a score of 681, Deer Valley High 737; the state’s goal is an API value of 800. Renovation Antioch High is unlikely to improve test scores.)

Problem is taxpayers in the School Improvement Facilities Improvement District already pay about $50 for every $100,000 of assessed value due to Measure C, although the district used only approximately $40 million of the $61 million before closing the bond down. If Measure B passes, tax bills to retire school bonds will basically double, going from about $56 per $100,00 to about $106 in 2014 and reach $125 by 2023, For a home assessed at a current average $141,500, that $177 a year!

Incidentally, the district is currently setting aside 3% toward maintenance but are putting the state funding for deferred maintenance (generally for replacement) into their Capital Facilities improvement account for deferred maintenance needs. The district is currently not funding their Irrevocable Trust for Post Retirement Benefits, but are not drawing against it and allowing the fund to grow for future Post-Retirement requirements.

The district has a $31 million ending fund balance but states that if Prop. 30 and 38 are defeated, will be at $7 million plus yearly deficit and can only receive a positive certification based on 3 years projection with 3% reserves.

PROPOSITION 30: Governor Jerry Brown’s sales and income tax initiative, a constitutional amendment, entitled “Temporary taxes to fund education, guaranteed local public safety funding: The measure would up the California sales tax from 7.25 to 7.5% for 4 years, hurting those with lower incomes (the bottom fifth of earners who spend 82% of their income on taxable purchases) and raise income taxes for 7 years on the more affluent who currently pay about 40% of the state’s personal income taxes, making our top income tax rate the highest in the nation. (One of it’s provisions would end state reimbursement to local governments for costs resulting from certain provisions of the Brown Act, such as the requirement to prepare and post agendas for public meetings.

NOTE California’s school accountability system has been based on the Academic Performance Index (API) which measures the performance of schools and the achievement of students. The API is based on student scores on state tests. This bill will change the way API is calculated, as of 2016 test results will constitute no more than 60% of the API for secondary schools, for elementary and middle schools, at least 60% of the API will be based on test scores. Options to take the receding place of student test scores are troubling e.g. locally convened panels to visit schools, observe teachers, interview pupils and examine pupil work. Prop. 30 doesn’t provide measurement yardsticks for these highly subjective school review panels and evaluations could have little relationship to student proficiency in core subjects.
Proposition 38 is a 12 year tax initiative to fund education and early childhood programs. It would increase personal income tax rates on annual earnings over $7,316, using a sliding scale from .04% for lower individual earners to 2.2% for individuals earning over $2.5 million, for twelve years.

WARNING NOTICE: Beginning with the 2012 tax year (the tax that is due April 15 of 2013) not all items on your property tax bill will be deductible. The state is going to require a breakdown between deductible and nondeductible items from your property tax bills. State law follows Federal in that you are only allowed to deduct the portion of real estate taxes that is based on the assessed value of your property with some limited exceptions. Big dollar exemptions could be eliminated e.g. Mello Roos fees. It also means that parcel taxes, sewer changes, and items like the Mosquito and Vector amounts will not be deductible.

A sample property tax bill showing deductible vs. nondeductible items can be found at www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/Real_Estate_Tax

Stockton, Calif. – Today, several key supporters of preserving the Delta and preventing any kind of tunnel or canal being built to divert the water from the Sacramento River to south-of-Delta communities spoke out ardently in support of Congressman Jerry McNerney’s strong track record on the issue.

“From his first days in office, Congressman Jerry McNerney has been a champion of the Delta and has fought hard for the welfare of Delta residents. He has fought for policies that will reduce the export of water from the Delta. Congressman McNerney has repeatedly stated publicly that he opposes the canal, and his actions on the floor of Congress and in his work with federal government agencies support his public statements. In contrast, Ricky Gill has received $5000 in campaign contributions from the California Westside Farmers Pac, which represents growers in the Westlands Water District. These are growers, like Woolf Enterprises, who would benefit directly from the implementation of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan – at the expense of Delta farmers,” said Barbara Barrigan-Panilla.

“I have been adamant about my opposition to the construction of a peripheral canal from day one. In case anyone has missed that, let me say it again: I stand against a canal, supporting the farmers, families and small businesses that rely on a healthy Delta for their livelihoods,” said Congressman McNerney. “It was wonderful to receive such strong support today from the people I have worked with over the years to protect this vital resource.”

Others chimed in supporting Congressman McNerney’s strong record on the Delta and water issues.

“I met Jerry McNerney in 2006, and after six years as my Congressman, I’m more impressed.  Today, I want to speak specifically on Congressman McNerney’s leadership role in opposing the greatest threat to the health, economy and quality of life of the Delta community – the peripheral tunnels.  From his first days in office, Jerry McNerney has been a steadfast friend of Delta residents.  He was the first representative of Congress to outright oppose the peripheral canal.  He has fought for policies that will reduce export of water from the Delta, championed projects to promote regional self-sufficiency and lessen dependence on Delta exports and repeatedly called into question the myriad flaws in the BDCP.” – Bill Jennings.

“Jerry McNerney has stood against the peripheral canal and the water exporters from day one. I know this because as a local elected official representing Delta communities, we have worked together to protect our Delta. He has been a staunch and vocal advocate for our water rights and is making sure we have a seat at the table. Jerry is a champion of the Delta,” – Mary Piepho, Supervisor, District Three, Contra Costa County.

Don Nottoli, Sacramento County Supervisor, District Five, endorsed Supervisor Piepho’s statement related to Congressman McNerney’s record on water.

In response, the Ricky Gill campaign had this to say:

“The peripheral tunnels are on the verge of becoming reality because Jerry McNerney has been asleep at the wheel for six years. He took no action to protect the Delta when he was in the Congressional majority. He wrote no letters to the California Department of Water Resources. He didn’t even mention the threat of a peripheral canal on the floor of Congress until he’d been in office for five years. In 2011, McNerney even wrote a book advocating the construction of more water canals in California,” stated Colin Hunter, Gill campaign spokesman.

“As a family farmer and a native son of this district, Ricky knows firsthand the devastating effects that a peripheral conveyance would have on local farmers. That’s why he opposes any plan to divert water around the Delta,” he said. “Ricky’s commitment to protecting the Delta and its agricultural heritage has earned him the endorsement of both the Contra Costa County Farm Bureau and the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation.”

“When it comes to the Delta, McNerney’s ‘advocacy’ is a matter of convenience, not conviction,” Hunter added.

In addition to today’s show of support, Congressman McNerney has been endorsed by a growing list of local public figures and elected officials.

Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) was first elected to Congress in 2006. He is the Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. For more information visit www.JerryMcNerney.com.

Challenger leads by 20 Points Among Independent Voters

STOCKTON, CA, October 10, 2012 – Congressional candidate Ricky Gill (R-Lodi) holds a 46-45 lead over incumbent Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton), according to a poll of likely voters conducted from September 30 to October 2.

The poll, conducted by the Tarrance Group and summarized here, finds that Gill has overtaken McNerney with only one month remaining until the election. Nine percent of likely voters remain undecided.

Gill leads McNerney by 20 points among Decline to State and independent voters, according to the poll.

Also significantly, the poll finds the proportion of voters who view McNerney unfavorably is equal to those who view him favorably. McNerney is viewed particularly unfavorably by voters in San Joaquin County, by seniors, and by Latino voters.

The poll was completed prior to the first presidential debate on October 3.

About Ricky Gill

Ricky Gill is a native of San Joaquin County who was born and raised in Lodi, California. For more information visit www.RickyGill.com

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce will host a fun way of the candidates and public getting to know each other, called Political Speed Dating, this Thursday October 11^th, from 6 PM-8 PM at Humphrey’s on the Delta.

Members of the public will be broken up into small groups and each group will have the opportunity to sit down with each candidate for five minutes to get to know the candidates and ask their individual questions. After five minutes the groups will rotate giving each group the opportunity to get to know every candidate.

Appetizers will be served in a fun friendly atmosphere with an opportunity for candidates and voters to personalize the engagement.

The event is free to the public.

Humphrey’s is located at 1 Marina Plaza, foot of L Street, Antioch. For reservations following the event, call 778-5800 or visit them online at www.HumphreysontheDelta.com.

For more information contact the Chamber offices at 757-1800 or visit www.AntiochChamber.com.

On November 6th, the voters of Antioch will be asked to fill three open seats on the Antioch School Board. I highly recommend Barbara Cowan as one of those selected for a board seat.

Mrs. Cowan is a newly retired teacher/administrator. Her 39 years of experience in this noble profession has given her the many experiences necessary to bring valuable knowledge to the Antioch School Board. She will be open and honest in her communications and continue a climate of trust and openness. Her understanding of education and willingness to hear new ideas and suggestions on how to continue improving the system will be a benchmark in her contributions.

Barbara Cowan has taught at all levels and has been a principal of middle schools and high schools. She has also been a special education coordinator. Mrs. Cowan is fluent in Spanish and has had many years of experience in predominately Hispanic schools.

Excellence in the classroom begins with excellence in the boardroom. I urge you to vote for Barbara Cowan.

Richard Asadoorian, Antioch

Trustee, Contra Costa County Board of Education

(the views expressed here are mine as a private citizen and do not reflect the opinion of the other board members)

Stockton, Calif. – Congressman Jerry McNerney has received the endorsement of Shabbir Khan, Treasurer-Tax Collector of San Joaquin County, who is a Republican.

Khan

“I couldn’t be more proud to endorse Jerry McNerney in his re-election efforts. He has brought thousands of jobs home right here to San Joaquin County, and more than that, he really cares about the people he represents. He takes the time to listen to everyone he encounters so that he can really get good work done here in San Joaquin County,” said Khan.

When asked why, as a Republican, he would endorse the Democrat in the race over Republican Ricky Gill, Shabbir stated, “I go by individual, not on the party.”

“I have known Jerry McNerney ever since he got elected. In my opinion I think he’s an honest man. He listens. He’s present in his district more than I would say Pombo was in his 14 years. He has done a lot for our veterans,” Kahn added. “I don’t see any problem with Congressman McNerney. He’s an independent thinker. You can talk with him and discuss things with him and I think he’s done a good job as a congressman.”

“It is an honor to have the support of Shabbir Khan. We are both dedicated to tackling the challenges we face here in San Joaquin County, and I will work hard to help the people in San Joaquin. We have a tremendous amount of potential right here in our community and I want to continue to partner with folks here at home to move forward and get our economy growing again,” said McNerney.

This adds to a growing list of local public figures and elected officials who have endorsed McNerney.

The new 9^th district, which includes most of Antioch, is significantly Democratic, with a voter registration that is D+11.  The new 9^th includes the majority of San Joaquin County and portions of Contra Costa County.  The district voted decidedly in favor of President Obama in 2008.

McNerney (D-Stockton) was first elected to Congress in 2006. He is the Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, a post he has used to champion veterans’ issues, bringing back a brand new veterans’ medical facility that is creating 900 local jobs.  He authored the bill to help veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries and has fought tirelessly to create local jobs, prevent American jobs from being sent overseas, and to restore fiscal responsibility to our government while protecting Medicare and Social Security. He’s running for reelection against Republican Ricky Gill of Lodi.

Publisher Allen Payton contributed to this report.

WHAT: President Bill Clinton will endorse four Northern California Democrat Congressional candidates at a UC Davis rally hosted by the Davis College Democrats on Tuesday. The candidates, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Congressman John Garamendi (CA-03), Ami Bera (CA-07), and Jose Hernandez (CA-10), are all in races identified by both the Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) as competitive. Millions of dollars in Super PAC advertising have flooded the Sacramento media market to defeat the four candidates.

“Middle class Americans need champions in Congress who will fight for good American jobs, and who will put people before politics. I’m proud to endorse four people who will do just that: John Garamendi, Jerry McNerney, Ami Bera, and Jose Hernandez. They’ve got fresh ideas to help restore the economy for middle class families, and they know Congress is a place for service, not personal gain,” said President Clinton.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 9

Doors open at 10 am

Program starts at 10:30 am

WHERE: Southwest Corner of UC Davis Quad

West Quad Ave. and Peter J. Shields Ave.

University of California – Davis

WHO: President Bill Clinton

Congressman Jerry McNerney, DCCC Frontline Member

ABOUT: Congressman Jerry McNerney was first inspired to run for office by his son, Michael, who volunteered for the armed services after 9/11.  As the the Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, he has championed veterans’ issues, bringing back a brand new veterans’ medical facility that is creating 900 local jobs.  He authored the bill to help veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries and has fought tirelessly to create local jobs, prevent American jobs from being sent overseas, and to restore fiscal responsibility to our government while protecting Medicare and Social Security.

The Davis College Democrats are a student organization at UC Davis dedicated to promoting the values of the Democratic Party, providing information to the UC Davis community regarding local, state and national political events, and encouraging political participation within the student body.

TRANSPORTATION FOR THE PUBLIC:

Please plan to arrive on foot or by bike or public transportation.  More information on public transit options (Unitrans, Yolobus, Capitol Corridor) is available at http://unitrans.ucdavis.edu/.

For attendees who drive, carpooling is encouraged and parking ($7) is likely to be available at the following facilities: South Entry Parking Structure, Lot 1, West Entry Parking Structure, and Lot 25. See http://taps.ucdavis.edu/parking/info/maps.cfm  for specific locations and directions to these lots.

Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to visit the Sacramento area tomorrow to show support for Jerry McNerney and several other Democratic Congressional candidates.

President Clinton might be interested to learn that McNerney staunchly opposes, and even ridicules, one of his signature issues: trade agreements that create American jobs.

In his recent book, Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy, Clinton argued that Congress should “[p]ass the pending trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama” in order to boost the U.S. economy. As Clinton noted, “We don’t have a trade deficit in goods and services with the countries with which we have trade agreements” — a central argument for their passage.

But McNerney voted “no” on each of those trade agreements, despite the significant benefits they promised for local farmers and port workers. In fact, he’s voted against every trade agreement that Congress has considered since his election.

President Clinton might also be interested to learn that McNerney in 2006 signed a pledge, known as the “New American Compact,” in which he vowed to oppose “the roguery of Free Trade.” That’s right: McNerney signed a pledge to oppose the “roguery” of trade agreements supported by local farmers, ranchers and port workers.

President Clinton surely would be interested to learn that the text of McNerney’s radical pledge alleges that free trade is “breeding terrorism.”

These are the same trade agreements that the Obama administration estimated would create up to 280,000 American jobs and generate $12 billion in new exports. The same agreements that eliminated foreign tariffs on local products including dairy, cherries, asparagus and wine. The same agreements that, like Ricky himself, have earned the unequivocal support of the California Farm Bureau Federation.

The 9th District simply cannot afford a Congressman who has pledged to vote against its farmers, ranchers and port workers.