This is an opinion piece submitted by a member of the community. Their views do not reflect that of Downey Latino News. Got a rebuttal? Email us on this or any other issue affecting residents of Downey at [email protected].
Ernesto Valle
Okay, my fellow Downey residents, let’s cut to the chase. Our elected officials voted unanimously, 4-0 (with one absence), to put Measure D on the November ballot. If passed, Measure D will increase our sales tax by .25%.
The city claims this tax is necessary for “public safety” and to keep control of our sales tax revenue local. But let’s dig deeper into these claims, shall we?
The Money Can Be Spent on Anything the City Wants
This tax is a general tax, which means there’s no guarantee that the funds will go toward public safety—or any specific purpose. The city can use the revenue for whatever it wants, whether it’s more police officers or funding nonprofits, like the $376,000 we gave to Stay Gallery or the $1 million pledge to the YMCA. There’s no real restrictions on how the money can be spent. Do we really want to hand the city another blank check?
Here’s an exact excerpt from the measure: “The one-quarter cent (1/4¢) TUT is a general tax, the revenue of which will be placed in the City’s general fund and will be used to pay for general City services.”
The Argument About Keeping Tax Revenue Local is a Lie
The city claims this is about “local control”—that passing Measure D will keep tax revenue in Downey rather than letting LA County grab it through Measure A. Sounds nice, right? It’s a lie.
What they won’t tell you is that AB 1679, passed last year, allows counties to exceed their 2% sales tax cap by half a percent. If both Measure A and Measure D pass, our tax rate could climb above the 10.25% cap, reaching 10.5%. We won’t be “keeping” anything—we’ll just end up with higher taxes. The whole “local control” argument? BS.
Measure S Promises Were Broken—Why Trust Them Now?
This isn’t the first time the city has made promises like these. Remember Measure S in 2016? That was supposed to fund public safety and add “additional police officers to patrol Downey streets.” Did that happen? Absolutely not.
Instead, we got “public safety positions,” like park rangers who can’t even intervene in a crime. Where did the money go? The city has never been fully transparent, and now they’re asking us to trust them again with Measure D.
The Measure S Oversight Committee—the so-called citizen watchdog—has only met twice in the last three years. Their most recent meeting was conveniently held weeks after the City Council voted to place Measure D on the ballot, where they “reviewed’ four years’ worth of financial audits. Doesn’t inspire much confidence, does it?
The city’s website touts Measure S projects like fire station improvements and park upgrades, totaling around $61 million. But Measure S has generated roughly $80 million since its passage. Where’s the missing $19 million? Don’t think too hard about it because, like Measure D, Measure S is a general tax. The city can shift those funds wherever they like.
And those “additional police officers”? Nowhere to be found on the Measure S page. Instead, we get restrooms and flooring for the police station. Nice, but I think we’d all prefer more boots on the ground, especially with rising crime.
In 2016, the Downey Police and Fire Management Associations—representing administrators, not rank-and-file officers—op-ed us to support Measure S, claiming it was necessary for “protecting residents” and providing “safety equipment.” Now in 2024, they’re pushing the same argument for Measure D, saying it will “ensure adequate funding and resources for first responders.”
Did Measure S deliver on those promises? The Downey Police Officer Association (POA)—which represents the rank-and-file—says it didn’t. In an Instagram post, they said: “Measure S failed to meet the promised expectations to improve police services.”
While the POA is willing to give the city another chance with Measure D, I’m not so sure voters should. If the city can’t guarantee in writing that this tax will go toward hiring and paying police officers, I’m voting no.
Measure D Never Expires
There’s one big difference between Measure S and Measure D: Measure D doesn’t expire. If passed, it will stay in place until voters repeal it. Can you really see the city council rushing to put a repeal on the ballot? Neither can I.
From the ordinance: “The tax imposed by this chapter shall continue until this ordinance is repealed.”
Show Us You Can Spend Responsibly First
Before asking for more money, the city should prove they can handle what they already have. We’re sitting on a $33 million surplus. How can the city claim we’re broke and need more taxes when we have that much in reserve?
The city has misallocated funds in the past, prioritizing non-essential projects instead of public safety. We need proof they’ve streamlined spending before giving them another dime. Fiscal responsibility should come first.
No Blank Check—Vote No on Measure D!
If you don’t trust how the city has spent our money in the past, if you don’t think it’s the right time for another tax hike given high rates of inflation, and if they’re not being honest about how they intend to spend the money—ask yourself: why vote yes?
It’s time to stop giving the city blank checks! Vote no on D!
Ernesto Valle is a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, a former candidate for Downey City Council, a former president of Northwest Downey Little League, and a nearly 20-year resident of Downey.
