Just a few days before the June 2nd primary election in California, the proposed Measure ER in Los Angeles County to increase the sales tax by 0.5 percentage points has not only sparked strong community dissatisfaction but also garnered more and more opposition from local officials.
During a video conference on Friday (29th), many city officials and community leaders in Los Angeles County expressed concerns that continuing to raise the sales tax would harm small businesses, damage the local economy, and increase the burden on residents. Participants revealed that 22 cities have joined the opposition camp and are urging voters to vote against it.
Measure ER, the full name of which is the “Essential Services Restoration Act for Los Angeles County,” states that within five years, the county’s sales tax will increase by 0.5 percentage points, generating an estimated $1 billion in revenue annually to help offset losses in healthcare services and reduce the risks of closures of public hospitals and clinics in the county.
Starting from April 1 last year, Los Angeles County raised the sales tax by 0.25%. With state, county, and city taxes combined, the tax rate in most cities increased from 9.5% to 9.75%. This increase was in accordance with Measure A, passed by voters in November 2024, aimed at raising funds to address homeless housing construction issues.
Some cities, including areas with Chinese populations, have sales tax rates as high as 10.5%, such as Los Angeles, Alhambra, Arcadia, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, Baldwin Park, and Bell Gardens. Compton and Azusa have rates as high as 10.75%, while Lancaster and Palmdale reach 11.25%.
If another 0.5% increase is implemented, the sales tax rate in some cities will almost match that of the highest in the United States, the city of Gillham in Arkansas, at 12.625%.
At the video conference, Aidan Chao, chairman of the Los Angeles County Taxpayers Association, emphasized that, under the ER proposal, tax rates in many cities in Los Angeles County would exceed 11%, entering the highest range in the nation. He pointed out that residents also face the highest oil prices, housing costs, and food expenses in the country, making it simply unaffordable.
He stated, “We will push workers and the middle class out of California, causing long-term revenue damage, harming community spirit, and affecting demographics.”
City Councilor Andrew Mendez of Azusa said during the meeting that he had supported two previous sales tax increases in the city, both of which had overwhelming support from residents. However, he now believes that residents have already paid enough in taxes, and that the burden on businesses is too heavy. He stated, “I want to make it clear that we can support public health and housing construction without raising the sales tax rate to record levels, or relinquishing local autonomy.”
Mayor Chang Boren of Arcadia said, “Everyone in Los Angeles and even the whole of California is asking us: before dipping into the wallets of ordinary Californians, how can the government reduce expenses first?”
He believes that officials from different political parties opposing the proposal have their reasons, stating, “This is a spending problem facing California, where our expenses always exceed the budget; the burden of this tax is pressing on the shoulders of all citizens.”
Mayor Claudia Frometa of Downey pointed out that the responsibility of elected officials is to safeguard the financial interests of all residents and businesses, and that “our families are struggling because of rising living costs.” She mentioned that groceries, oil prices, utility bills in California continue to rise, making housing unaffordable, and that “at a time when residents are forced to carefully budget, increasing taxes will only add pressure to those families working hard to make ends meet.”
Frometa also cautioned that the ER proposal does not include a “sunset clause” (an expiration date), its revenue falls directly into the general fund, lacks accountability mechanisms. She referenced similar practices in the past, saying, “This is essentially writing a blank check.”
“I want to emphasize that before asking residents to pay more, our government must prove that existing resources have been managed responsibly, efficiently, and transparently.” she stated.