Measure LL Lacks a Specific Purpose

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Editor,

Measure LL seeks a 2% increase in the temporary occupancy tax, also known as bed tax, paid by hotel guests, which are less than 7% of the visitors to Laguna Beach.  The far majority of tourists are day-trippers. The city wants you to believe that the money raised from Measure LL will primarily fund improved public safety and other “vital” services. But that is untrue.

Measure LL is a slush fund that permits the city to spend the money any way they choose. The money goes into the general fund and not for any particular purpose. The city could build a big parking garage in the middle of town with this money, or build themselves a new City Hall, or give themselves all pay raises and bonuses, or hire more overpriced ineffective consultants. Stop this out of control spending.

There is nothing vital about this measure at all. This is purely a money grab for a city that boasts in its most recent budget reports that revenues continue to exceed expectations. Say no.

The real purpose behind Measure LL is to allow the city to float a multi-million dollar revenue bond once it passes by pledging the increased revenues without voter approval.

Vote no.

The OC Register also recommends a no vote. To increase taxes of any kind there should be a demonstrated and urgent need and any tax increase should be for a specific purpose.

Measure LL does none of this!  It is a general fund measure, a.k.a. city slush fund.

Michele Monda, Laguna Beach

The author is secretary of Laguna Beach Republicans.

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