Palm Springs, California.  In November Palm Springs residents will vote on a one percent (1%) Sales Tax hike proposal known as Measure J. It would provide $43 million (plus bond interest costs) for developer John Wessman to use renovating his Desert Fashion Plaza property. Taxpayers will receive nothing of investment value benefit from that gift of funds. The remainder of the Sales Tax hike money will go into the City’s General Fund where it will await City Council decisions about its future use.

I support the Committee for No on Measure J because the Sales Tax hike in its present format is a financially irresponsible proposal. I also have concerns over the lack of candor and ethics in the manner in which the tax hike is being presented. The way in which Measure J is being marketed to voters by city officials, media and special interest influence groups is deceptive. First off my list is the actual ballot language. Instead of a simple question asking voters to approve a Sales Tax hike, city officials have crafted a carefully worded paragraph that implies voters are approving funds for a smorgasbord list of city needs. That is not the case and, in my opinion, the ballot statement language is intentionally misleading!

Another concern is the lack of interest on the part of special interest groups to fairly assess the Sales Tax hike before giving it their backing. The Desert Sun editorial board was first to jump on the Measure J endorsement bandwagon. It was followed in short order by the local Chamber of Commerce, Hospitality Association, and Main Street merchants. Other influential groups, including a local Democratic Club, have endorsed Measure J while some, like the local HOA Presidents Council, have invited the Mayor or City Council Members to speak on behalf of its passage. No invitations from these groups have gone out to No on J representatives to present alternative views or answer questions. Propaganda is the term correctly used when information is spread for the purpose of promoting a cause. That is clearly the case with respect to the aforementioned promotional endorsement and information policies.

“Don’t confuse me with the facts” is a quote attributed to former Indiana Congressman Earl Landgrebe. It is also one that may be appropriate for those who have or will endorse Measure J without first taking time to learn all there is to know about the tax and its implications. Fortunately there have been exceptions to the list of those predisposed to back the measure. Program hosts on both KPSI and KNEWS radio have provided time for No on J representatives to speak, and The Desert Sun news department has been covering both sides of the issue. But influential downtown interests and their friends have made clear that voter approval of the Sales Tax hike and related gift of $43 million to John Wessman is the only issue that matters to them. So, it is probably not the facts they ignore, it is the profit potential they or their friends seek that propel their determined drive to get the Sales Tax hike on the books.

One lesson some report having learned from observing groups favoring Measure J is that voters should carefully consider whether those responsible share taxpayer financial accountability and responsibility concerns. Are the publicized endorsements of Measure J the result of careful, even-handed analysis or little more than propaganda?

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Committee for No on Measure J
Renee DeVolt, Treasurer
1111 Tahquitz Canyon Way  - Suite 111

Palm Springs, Ca. 92262

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