Tax Poll

[MJP]

Much to my surprise, I just got a call from the research firm GRA (Godbe) polling about whether residents in La Mirada will support a utility tax or a bond.

Also not to my surprise, the poll is weighed VERY heavily in "pushing" the City's positions. It is well documented that a poll can get a pre-determined outcome based on how the questions are asked.

About 80 percent of the poll "pushes" the City's position. For example, instead of asking residents merely whether they support a utility tax, it is "pushed" in this manner: "If you knew that the utility tax would go towards maintaining police services and gang prevention, would you be likely to vote for it?"

It does, to be fair, ask some questions "pushing" the opposing side's arguements, except it forgets to mention that the City has squandered millions on Splash!, the condemned Alonda Center (dirt field), the Performing Arts Center, and high salaries (with no furloughs like much of the rest of goverment agencies).

But there is much less time spent on those pesky anti-tax arguments whereas the City's position is "pushed" relentlessly in the first and last part of the poll.

Here's an easy prediction: the citizens will "vote" for a utility tax.

Then the La Mirada City Council will run--and run hard--with the statement "Citizens voted to increase their taxes to maintain quality La Mirada Services."

Shameful...very shameful.

[same old]

this is the exact tactic that was used with splash.
but, really it is expected. They once again have an agenda to push and are good at tricking the "unknowing majority" into agreeing with them.
it is really sad that people will fall for this kind or crap over and over again.

[No More Taxes]

I received a call yesterday. The poll centered on a SALES TAX tax for La Mirada ranging from 0.50% to 0.25% which would give La Mirada one of the highest sales tax rates in LA and Orange County.
I agree with MJP the questions were somewhat biased towards the tax because the poll begins by asking how important things like Safety, Street Maintenace, Sewers, etc are to me.
We can't afford another sales tax. The City is mistaken if it believes we won't take our business to neighboring cities in Orange County with lower sales taxes. The city of La Mirada must do what we've all done: Make due with what you've got. Spend it wisely and spend less until the economy turns around.
The City is already preparing to put a spin on the proposed ballot measure. The poll included several scenarios for and against a sales tax increase. They will use the results of the poll to determine what resonates best with the voters both for and against the increased sales tax.
If the City doesn't put a measure on the ballot to increase our sales tax by 0.5% or0.25% it is looking to put a bond issue on the ballot. Please don't be fooled. A bond issue is not free money. Eventually it must be paid back.
Please vote NO on a proposed sales tax increase and or a bond issue in upcoming elections.

[two_cents]

I believe MJP is correct. The city is driving the agenda on this issue. However, I also believe their hands are tied. The state is raping cities of tax revenue left and right and there is no end in sight. The state needs to cut their budget by at least 50% just to get to reasonable levels. Since Arnold took over state spending doubled. Teacher and employee unions are so out of control it is not even funny.

LM has never saved for it's infrastructure & undoubtedly stuff under the ground is going to need fixing after 50 yrs. How do we ensure those things stay up to par? Taxes or fees are the only way. It is the only way it is ever done everywhere.

With that said the city has 2 options. Increase sales tax or have a utility tax. There is a citizen panel that is reviewing the options and I know a couple people on the panel. My friends felt the city is pushing the utility tax & want the panel's blessings so the city doesn't look like the bad guy. If it upsets residents the city will say, "But your fellow citizens said it was the right thing to do." Politics as usual.

Regarding Splash & Theater. It should never be the role of any government entity to provide entertainment ever. Even in prosperous times it should be avoided. Currently both run in the red. Both have been greatly improved and splash may see black in a couple years. The theater is a different animal. I think it should be sold to a private company ASAP! If it can make a profit a buyer it shouldn't be a problem. Currently if either one was a private business it would be out of business.

[LM Rez]

I agree with most of the above post, however, one point in which I protest is that the city never saved for infrastructure. When I was involved with various commissions about 10 years ago, the city had $40 million dollars in reserve for infrastructure that I know of. It was something that was planned for back then, and it certainly shouldn't be any surprise now. Back then, they were saying that the sewers, underground lines, etc., were approaching 40 years old and was a known concern. So I'm not buying the city's argument that a tax is needed to keep up the infrastructure.

On the other hand, maybe it is because the city has squandered so much money on pet projects and subsidizing private entities in order to make LM a destination place. Get a clue council. It never will be. There is no easy access to LM, even though the 5 passes along the south end. But who wants to get on the 5? It sucks from the OC line up to the 605 at any time of day. That is a benefit though in that the only people who come through are residents.

Like .02 said, if the city's pet projects were operated like a private business, they would be out of business. The council has extremely limited business acumen, if any. And the department managers are certainly not businessmen. They just rely on a never ending supply of govt money.

The phrasing of the pollsters is also ridiculous. By saying, "if you knew a tax would go to public safety, or maintaining infrastructure, etc... would you support it". The answer will most likely be yes, but the real issue is that we don't "know" that the tax will be used for that. It may, but then that would relieve funds for more senseless spending. There's no accountability with the tax.

Sell the pool, sell the theatre. They are both money pits. Unless and until the city starts making some practical decisions related to budgeting and what is good for the residents, I will never vote for a tax or a bond measure. If one passes, good thing I live on Fullerton/La Habra line, as they will get all of my shopping.