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Vote No on Measure PP
Vote No on Measure PP, the 10.75% Pleasanton sales tax that will destroy businesses and is too costly. Pleasanton’s sales tax burden would be 10.75% — highest in the nation — and will cost residents $215,000,000 a year based on their own numbers
With Pleasanton’s population of 76,689, this means the average sales tax bill for a family of four will be $11,214.12 a year! Nobody outside of Pleasanton will shop in Pleasanton when all surrounding cities have much lower sales taxes.
And you will pay this tax even when you shop online or buy a car in another city; Pleasanton residents cannot escape this tax. The death spiral of Stoneridge Mall will be complete and small businesses in Pleasanton will suffer. And don’t forget your other taxes — California’s new 14.4% income tax rate and tens of thousands of dollars a year in property taxes.
Don’t be fooled! This tax is not legally restricted to any specific program; it is a general tax and they can spend it however they wish. The Pleasanton City Attorney’s “impartial analysis” admits the money can be used to fund big raises for administrators, such as Pleasanton City Manager Girard Beaudin, whose 2023 total compensation was $442,026.82.
Vote No on Measure PP, the 10.75% tax with a yearly $11,214.12 tax burden on families.
— Alan Heckman, Alameda County Taxpayers’ Association
I now support PP
In reference to Julie Testa’s Guest Opinion in support of Measure PP. I would like to express my views on this matter. As a fiscally conservative taxpayer I do not like any additional taxes levied on the residents of Pleasanton in general.
After looking into the measure and attending presentations by city staff to local commissions and groups I sit on, I now support Measure PP.
Measure PP is considered a consumption tax and is a tax on the purchase of a good or service. Consumption taxes can take the form of sales taxes, excise and other taxes on consumed goods and services. As Julie Testa indicated, “Prescription medicine, groceries, rent, mortgage payments and utilities will be exempt from the tax.”
A consumption tax can also refer to a taxing system as a whole in which people are taxed based on how much they consume rather than how much they add to the economy (income tax).
I believe the alternative to Measure PP could be a parcel tax, a bond measure or any other tax levied by the city on our community, which I am greatly opposed to in general.
Pleasanton has great parks and recreation services, is a safe place to live and a nice bedroom community for our families to thrive. It is safe to say that Measure PP is the best alternative we need in support of our community.
— Steven Berberich, member of Pleasanton Parks and Recreation Commission
On nonprofit turnover
Since 2020, nonprofit employees have been heeding the call of “Great Resignation” and leaving their jobs for better options.
Nonprofit leaders often face high levels of stress due to the demanding nature of their work, which includes managing limited resources, meeting fundraising goals and addressing community needs. This can lead to burnout and eventual turnover.
Nonprofits typically have tighter budgets compared to for-profit organizations, which can result in lower salaries and fewer benefits for their leaders. This financial strain can make it difficult to retain talented individuals.
Many nonprofit leaders feel that there are limited opportunities for career advancement within their organizations. This lack of professional growth can prompt them to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Nonprofits often operate with lean teams and limited resources, which can create a challenging work environment. Leaders may leave if they feel unsupported or unable to achieve their goals due to their constraints.
The intense commitment required in nonprofit leadership roles can negatively impact work-life balance, leading to dissatisfaction and turnover.
Addressing these issues involves creating a supportive work environment, offering competitive compensation and providing opportunities for professional development.
Building a culture that prioritizes employee well-being and sustainability can also help reduce turnover rates.
— Michael Austin, via online story comment
Critical election for PUSD
With the upcoming election, I urge every community member to pay close attention and act by voting. Two school board seats are contested this election season. The future of our schools is in our hands. While our highly qualified teachers and teaching are the heart of our educational system, teaching and governance require distinctly different skills.
Effective school board governance involves navigating complex budgets, setting strategic direction, and making policy, with students at the center of every decision. Working in education is not a prerequisite for being an impactful school board member.
What matters most is a history of living, working, and volunteering in our community with school district involvement and a deep understanding of the needs and ability to serve and bring the concerns and values of the community to the table.
As a former long-serving school board member, I deeply understand what it takes to be an effective school board member. School board members have access to teachers and school staff and can connect with them to ensure their concerns are addressed.
Our school district is Pleasanton’s true gem. It is why countless families make this city their home and the reason we have stable and increasing property values.
This election is a critical opportunity to choose leaders who will continue to support our district’s excellence and not the agenda of other groups. Please research, meet the candidates, and vote so our school district remains a beacon of our community for years.
— Jamie Yee
