Overtaxed in California

Editor: Over 100 local governments in California had a sales tax increase measure for Nov. 6.

Paso Robles residents voted against their half-cent sales tax increase measure. They took control of their city hall from special interests and the status quo.

Locally, The Yes on Measure L committee spent almost $6.50 per YES vote for Measure L. The margin was 3,348 votes.

I thank everyone who stood up against the status quo who hiked our sales tax. We are a pure grassroots citizen movement with little money to spread truth. The Lodi sales tax increase is for Lodi’s spiraling pension crisis. As we speak, the property bubble is popping as real estate values drop like 2008.

The Yes on Measure L kicked the can down the road for at least five years. This so-called tax money will pay for the pensions. As citizens, we will hold the city accountable to the lies it pushed to residents. Lodi will be lucky if we get all the things that the city promised to the residents.

What adds to the faulty city sales tax figure is how brick and mortar retail stores are suffering. Many people are buying online these days. The fixed and low incomes will cut back on their spending. They will watch their money because the cost of living has skyrocketed in Taxifornia while the average Social Security, or wages have not raised. Those with a minimum wage increase see their paycheck eaten up by sales taxes, inflation, high gas taxes, taxes, etc.

Lodi is not Beverly Hills. The majority of Lodi residents earn less than $40,000 a year in income. Multiple family generations live under one roof these days in Lodi and across Taxifornia to save money and help each other.

The real solution is a statewide pension reform initiative as proposed by Ex-Democrat Mayor Chuck Reed of San Jose and ex-Republican San Diego Councilmember Carl DeMaio.

We will never back down from telling the truth. Find us at www.sanjoaquintaxwatchdog.blogspot.com.

ALEX ALIFERIS Lodi