RESOLUTION NO. _____________

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

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RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSITION 26, THE STOP THE HIDDEN TAXES MEASURE, THAT WILL APPEAR ON THE NOVEMBER 2, 2010 GENERAL ELECTION

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RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, that

WHEREAS, San Mateo County has long supported the preservation of existing revenues and revenue raising authority; and

WHEREAS, San Mateo County has also supported efforts to lower the vote requirement for local taxes, and to treat fees differently than taxes; and

WHEREAS, the California Constitution requires local governments secure a majority vote to approve a general tax and a two-thirds vote approval for special taxes; and

WHEREAS, Proposition 26, on the November 2, 2010 stat ballot, would broaden the definition of a state or local tax to include many payments currently considered to be fees or charges; and

WHEREAS, the measure would have the effect of increasing the number of revenue proposals subject to a supermajority threshold, or two-thirds vote; and

WHEREAS, Proposition 26 would require that any state fees approved in 2010 be redefined as taxes would be repealed effective November, 2011, unless they are reenacted by a two-thirds majority of each of the state Legislature; and

WHEREAS, Proposition 26 would diminish the County’s ability to raise revenue for programs and services of importance to our community.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DETERMINED AND ORDERED that the Board of Supervisors by the adoption of this Resolution hereby opposes Proposition 26, the Stop the Hidden Taxes Measure.

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