Measure S Not Real Answer

By Mathew Millen

Those running our schools and their supporters are wrong when they say that passing Measure S is the only way to work our way out of the present financial crisis.

The real answer to the fiscal crisis in the schools is the Cities of Santa Monica and Malibu. They have the money, but education is not their priority. For example, in Santa Monica, (a city with over a $350 million dollar annual budget), millions are spent on "homeless services.”

Last year the city gave a developer $12 million to develop new very-low rental housing projects. We spend a lot of money on traffic calming. The City spent a small fortune to remove the asbestos from the main library. Now the City is tearing it down.

Don’t forget this November we now have to start paying the bond issue towards a new $72-million City library, a new County real estate tax for the County trauma centers, and the SMC Measure U bond.

None of us would mind being taxed if it was the last resort, but here it’s always tax the homeowners and tenants as the first resort after spending our money on projects that tend to protect the ruling party’s voter base.

Politicians who control the schools and the City are from the same powerful political organization. They’re out to protect their own interests. That’s why our City Council declined to pledge support for schools several months ago when 1,000 parents marched on City Hall.

Those who run the District and who are involved with school support organizations only see one solution to the school's problems: more taxation!

Twenty percent of the students in the SMMUSD don’t live in the district. The school board refuses to ask their parents for a voluntary contribution. While other area school districts raise millions through public donations and fundraising programs, our school board members and administrators pursue their social agendas and routinely offend those who would help the schools.

I feel sorry for parents whose kids are constantly the targets of educational game playing. I feel badly that our schools are run by those who would rather waste limited resources to promote their ultra liberal social agenda rather than adequately fund our schools.

“S” is another regressive tax proposal, similar to “Prop EE” that we voted down last November. "S" lets those who can afford to pay more to support schools off cheap. With “S,” the largest property holders pay the same $225 as each condo owner, vacant lot owner and homeowner. Sears, Pavillions and Ralphs pay the same as every homeowner.

That is inherently unfair. Commercial business and developers save a bundle with “S,” and that’s why they’re writing letters and raising lots of money to pass the measure. While they skate virtually free, you pay, and our schools are shorted millions of dollars in revenue.

While we are asked to pay over and over again, (10 percent utility tax, two school bond issues, existing parcel tax of $103.00, two Santa Monica College bond issues, SM library bond, County trauma center parcel tax,) they continue their agenda and social programs. That our elected officials have not stepped forward is inexcusable.

They’d rather risk our kids’ future, try and buy this election with a $200,000 campaign fund squandered trying to pass “S” (instead of going to the classroom), and watch thousands of citizens waste time and resources -- all because they’re playing political games.

Now is the time to make a statement. A “NO” vote will not mean the end of our schools. It will force the politicians, here and in Malibu, to do their job and fund the schools rather than fund social services for non-residents.

(Eds. note: Mathew Millen is Treasurer of the Citizens Against Unfair Taxes)