Vote ‘yes’ on SC Measure A for kids’ programs

Voters in the city of Santa Cruz have an off-year, somewhat arcane Nov. 2 ballot measure to decide.

Measure A asks voters whether they want to amend the city charter to allocate

20% of the revenue from the city’s existing marijuana business tax to youth and early childhood development programs and services. A simple majority of the vote would pass this measure.

Somewhat surprisingly, the measure has generated opposition among correspondents to this publication, who argue, it unfairly singles out one group over others; that it hamstrings future City Councils from using more of the tax on other allocations; and that the cost of having an off-year allocation comes close to what it would take to fund some of the programs backers hope to see if Measure A passes.

These arguments all contain some worthwhile points for those voters who decide to cast ballots on or before Nov. 2, but none of them sway our support for Measure A.

The “cannabis business” tax in the city goes back to 2014, when it was approved by 82% of voters. Tax revenue goes into the city’s General Fund, used to pay for a variety of municipal services. Since 2017 Santa Cruz has allocated General Fund revenue equivalent to 12.5% of the funds generated by the pot tax to a dedicated Children’s Fund, to support “evidenced-based programs” (in the words of the city attorney’s analysis of Measure A) that enhance access to childhood development, and prevention programs and others aimed at vulnerable youth.

But because this allocation was established by a council resolution, it could potentially be reduced or even eliminated by future council action.

Measure A enshrines the allocation to the Children’s Fund – and raises it to 20% of the revenue generated by the marijuana tax. For the next fiscal year, this would mean an increase in revenue allocated to the Children’s Fund from about $212,000 to approximately $340,000.

The measure also, if passed, directs the City Council to create an oversight committee that will review allocations to ensure the funding goes to vetted, worthwhile programs. Committee recommendations would go to the City Council, which would have the final say on where the money would go.

Backers maintain that programs benefiting children are critically underfunded in the city – and that this ballot measure is necessary, and the allocation enshrined, because kids have no real representation in local government when it comes time to parcel out funds.

The programs the allocation can and should fund include childcare, preschool, after school and youth development, career preparation and summer jobs, health care, recreation, and parent support.

One of the many painful lessons coming from the COVID-19 pandemic is that children, while for the most part not as vulnerable to the worst ravages of the disease, have suffered in profound ways that will affect the next generation for years to come. With schools mostly shuttered last year, the dearth of opportunities for outside learning and recreation were impossible to ignore. But waiting for the state or federal government to step in misses the point that advocating for children starts at a local level.

No doubt, there’s something ironic in a drug tax going to help kids, who we strongly hope won’t feel the need to take up marijuana use as they get older. But taxes on tobacco products, for instance, created a number of worthwhile First 5 programs in the state of California, including health care for lower income residents.

Earlier this month, amid concern over widespread teen vaping, Gov. Gavin Newsom approved a 12.5% excise tax on electronic cigarettes that will go toward boosting public health and education programs.

As for the other concern that this election is costly, backers estimate the cost will be about $170,000 – a onetime outlay that is less than half the anticipated allocation if Measure A passes.

Measure A is a worthwhile use of the tax collected from marijuana businesses. It addresses a vital need and establishes a source of funding that won’t be subject to political whims. Vote “yes” on Measure A.