New group forming to oppose Long Beach sales tax Measure A

Political consultants from the offices of Adouki & Associates are organizing a new opposition campaign against a Long Beach sales tax proposal.

The formal name of the campaign is “No on Measure ‘A’ – Stop the Tax on Long Beach Working Families.” Ian Patton, a senior associate at the consultancy, said a fundraiser had been plaed for Tuesday. He also said campaign paperwork has been filed with the Secretary of State’s office and is plaed to be filed with the City Clerk’s office on Wednesday.

Measure A is a proposal to raise Long Beach’s sales tax rate by 1 percent for six years and half a percentage point for the next four years. The sales tax rate in Long Beach is currently 9 percent.

Mayor Robert Garcia and key supporters in the police and fire unions have said the estimated $48 million in aual revenue is needed to pay for infrastructure projects and enhanced public safety staffing.

The proposal is to be accompanied on the June 7 ballot by Measure B, which would require 1 percent of new tax revenue to be deposited into a rainy day fund.

Patton said opponents object to Measure A on the grounds that the tax may create financial difficulties for low-income eaers and that revenues may not be spent as promised.

The new opposition campaign working separately from Long Beach Rebellion, another group of opponents.