Burbank Mom

Raising My Kids In The Media City

Why Are We Voting On Measures P & QS In Our Burbank General Election?

by 4 Comments

Measure P & Measure QS are entirely different items on the upcoming November ballet for the City of Burbank residents. I am not taking a position on either one of these issues here, but I do want to be an informed voter, parent and resident prior to making a decision. 

And I’ll make a full disclosure. I am on the PTSA at Luther Burbank Middle School and the PTA in Burbank is in 100% full support of Measure QS. They do make it clear…PTA supports it, but can’t make anyone vote a certain way. 

It’s not like anyone ‘wants’ to pay more sales and property tax. However, these two items are not for the same thing. QS is for the Public School System and P is for the City of Burbank. One hand does not feed the other here. These measures don’t serve the same government agency within Burbank. They are not one in the same and they are supporting very different problems. 

But since my children attend public school here and I live, work and play in the City of Burbank, both of these items will affect me in one way or another.  

Let’s start with Measure QS. 

Essentially this is a parcel tax added to our property tax bill to help fund our Burbank Public Schools.

Would anyone who has children in our schools say we don’t need money? No. I don’t think you’ll find one. It’s pretty straightforward, from what I can tell. The schools need more money to operate and since they’re not funded from the City of Burbank, this Measure has been added to help cover costs. 

Proceeds from the Tax shall be used only for the purposes specified in the Measure, including, but not limited to: attracting and retaining teachers and staff; maintaining low class sizes in grades TK-3; expanding college and career courses; increasing mental health support; and expanding instruction in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math programs.

Terms:

•Needs 2/3 approval to pass

•Will be authorized to levy a qualified special tax in the amount of $0.10 per square foot

•If approved, will commence on July 1, 2019

 

Purposes:

•Attract and retain quality teachers and staff

•Maintain low class sizes in grades TK – 3

•Expand college and career courses

•Increased mental health support

•Expand instruction in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math

Senior Citizen Exemption:

•Parcel owned and occupied by person 65 years of age or older exempt

 

Accountability Provisions:

•Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee

•Annual Performance Audits

•Annual Financial Audits

•Separate Account Annual Report

 

Here’s an argument for Measure QS:

https://shop.burbankusd.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Argument-in-Favor.pdf

Here’s an argument against Measure QS: 

https://shop.burbankusd.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/against.pdf

 My husband and I are still cultivating an informed decision on Measure QS.

 

Measure P is an entirely different beast.

This measure is a proposed addition to sales tax in the city. The City of Burbank is in a a serious budget deficit (not enough time and energy to address this one) and this is a proposed way to help fill the general fund. 

Measure P, the Burbank Infrastructure and Community Services Protection Measure, is a general purpose ¾¢ local sales tax on the November 6th ballot that would provide approximately $20 million in annual funding to the City.

Without additional revenue, the City forecasts an ongoing funding shortfall of more than $27 million per year including a $9.5 million operating deficit and $18 million in infrastructure maintenance.

Measure P will support essential services including:

• Neighborhood police patrols

• Fire stations and 9-1-1 response times

• Repairs to streets, sidewalks and improving traffic congestion

• Parks and recreation

• Youth and senior programs

• Libraries

 

Here is a link with arguments for and against: 

http://burbankelections.com/arguments-and-rebuttals/

Whatever you do…make sure you are registered to vote…and then GO VOTE! 

You need to be registered by October 22nd and here’s the link: 

https://lavote.net/home/voting-elections/voter-registration/register-to-vote/register

Comments

  1. Class sizes in upoer.grades are also.at.least.10 students less then surrounding districts and Measure QS will.maintain those numbers.

    Well done putting all the information out there!

    Reply

  3. Dear Eric Michael Cap,

    Thanks for the link. Good information!
    When I first read ballot Measure P, I felt I needed to learn more about it before making a decision. I did review the supplemental voter info guide mailed out by the city. However I discovered that the only voice speaking out in opposition to the measure reflected was that of just one lonely citizen. Conversely, the entire city council spoke in favor of P.
    Your article proposes many reasonable alternatives that could be implemented prior to leaping ahead with this tax.

    Reply

  4. NO more taxes. NO on both of these measures. Burbank residents are already paying 9.50% in Burbank for Sales Tax! Some states don’t even have sale taxes. The pensions for officials and those working in the City are taking advantage of us in the middle class!!!! Don’t let that happen. We have a City Manager and other administrators who are making several hundreds thousands in salary and the City is still mismanaged. They higher PR firms to see ways to sneak in extra revenue. The fix is NOT by raising taxes, but finding the funding from our existing sources!!!! WOW!!!! 20,000,000 million annual funding coming from YOU and me the tax payer. Really? There is no free ride… we are going to be paying that amount if you approve this! Note, that is an additional 20 Million amount on top of the millions they are already receiving. If you can’t afford your I-Phone, your rent, you car insurance, a night at the movies or dinner, or if you are still making payments on your home or student loan, etc… it’s because your money is being taken little by little in the form of taxes! The sales tax in Burbank used to be 6% and each time they request to make a small increase and we approve it is almost never rolled back! Now it’s already 9.5%… where and when is this going to stop? Look on the bottom of each of your receipts…. that is extra money YOU are paying, when you are already paid property taxes, State Income taxes, etc. That money could be going to your pension and your own retirement and not for City officials or workers who already get paid a lot!!!!. They should be taking out of their retirement funds from their own pay checks to fund their retirement.! The money for our City is already there from property taxes, the current sale taxes and the current fees, etc., but your officials keep squandering the funds. We as a City spend them wastefully! Do what is right… NO on any new taxes! We already pay a lot in taxes.. Also, this is not a progressive tax and doesn’ help the poor.

    Reply

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