July 9, the Stockton City Council unanimously approved a new sales tax titled Measure A which was on this year’s Stockton ballot. Nov. 5, Measure A was overwhelmingly favored by Stockton voters. The new sales tax is expected to go into effect starting Apr. 1 in 2014.
In the past week’s elections, Stockton voters, through a simple majority, approved Measure A, a general sales tax that plans to get the city out of its economic downfall.
Measure A will implement a three-quarter cents sales tax for the residents of Stockton; the tax will be initiated in the coming year.
The city of Stockton is the largest U.S. city in history to declare bankruptcy.
The purpose of this new sales tax is to help relieve Stockton of some of its current debts.
The new sales tax is also intended to bring in more law enforcement officials in an effort to reduce Stockton’s high crime rate.
The sales tax provides and preserves other city services as well.
In the California Constitution, in order for a new general sales tax to be imposed it must receive a simple majority vote, 50 percent plus one.
Off-year elections typically garner a 20 percent turnout.
Measure A as a general sales tax can also be reduced or removed at any time with overwhelming support from Stockton residents or the city council.
If unchanged during its term, the new sales tax will expire ten years after its initiation.
The sales tax will end permanently after its term if the Stockton City Council has deemed that it has served its purpose, which would be if the city’s economy has been restored.
The sales tax may be extended by the city council if Stockton is still in bankruptcy.
City council members must then present supporting evidence to the public for reasons to continue the sales tax.
Stockton is home for some students, staff and faculty at California State University, Stanislaus.
Junior Biology student Kathy Nguyen is a former resident of Stockton,
“I think Measure A will be a positive effect, especially for the people in Stockton,” Nguyen said.
“Growing up in Stockton, I was afraid to leave the house with the fear that something terrible would happen to me right as I stepped out the door.
With this new general sales tax, the city of Stockton can afford more police officers to do their duty.”
Measure A is expected to raise $6.8 million in revenue in its first partial year, and $28 million in revenue every year following.
While there are discrepancies on whether Measure A will resolve Stockton’s state of bankruptcy, the majority of voters believe the tax will be a positive move for the city’s economy.