On September 22, some members of the community gathered in front of the Santa Clara County Government Building in San Jose, urging voters to oppose the tax increase proposal Measure A in the special election on November 4.
Measure A, proposed by Santa Clara County, is a temporary sales tax increase plan that, if passed, would raise the county’s sales tax by 0.625%, generating approximately $330 million in revenue for the county annually. The proposal claims that this revenue is intended to maintain the healthcare system and social safety net services. The measure only requires a simple majority to pass. It is reported that the special election will cost taxpayers $12 million.
Santa Clara County houses the state’s second-largest county-owned healthcare system, which includes four hospitals and 15 clinics, with a recent acquisition of the East San Jose Regional Medical Center. However, according to the No on Measure A SCC2025 committee’s website, the healthcare system incurred a $600 million loss last year, projected to reach $1 billion next year and could exceed $3 billion by 2030. In contrast, the Measure A proposal would only generate around $330 million in revenue annually, insufficient to address the deficit.
Political figures opposing the proposal include Cupertino Mayor Liang Fang Chao, former California Assemblyman Kansen Chu, former Palo Alto Mayor Lydia Kou, and former Monte Sereno Mayor Liz Lawler and Rowena Turner.
Cupertino Mayor Liang Fang Chao pointed out that healthcare expenditures have surged from $1.5 billion to $7 billion in the past ten years, constituting over half of the $13.7 billion total budget, leading to a widening fiscal gap. She emphasized that relying solely on tax increases without a comprehensive reform plan would exacerbate the problem. She urged the board of supervisors to “slow down” and present viable and sustainable healthcare reform plans before discussing reasonable fundraising methods, stating, “We support healthcare but oppose high-cost, low-efficiency, unplanned tax hikes.”
The event organizer, Edward Escobar, founder of The Coalition for Community Engagement, stated on-site that the middle class is already under significant pressure, saying, “We cannot bear more taxes.”
Rishi Kumar, chairman of the No on Measure A committee (also a candidate for Santa Clara County Assessor of Property Taxes), criticized the four-page promotional materials sent out by supporters for deliberately avoiding the term “tax increase,” instead using a healthcare narrative as a packaging, with the proposal hastily launched late at night lacking transparency. He noted that Santa Clara County has now turned into a “healthcare company,” emphasizing the need for auditing and reform rather than tax revenue patches. He stressed, “The so-called temporary five-year tax increase could very likely turn into a permanent tax.”
He also mentioned that with a population of only 2 million, Santa Clara County’s healthcare spending has soared to $7 billion, accounting for over half of the total budget; while Los Angeles County, with a population five times larger, has healthcare expenditures of $12 billion, just under one-third of its $43 billion total budget, highlighting the financial imbalance in Santa Clara County. “In fact, in county council meetings, many groups have been vying for this tax revenue, with each city and nonprofit organization wanting a share. Ultimately, this money may not truly be used for healthcare.”
Committee secretary Dan Stegink stated that Measure A is the worst timing for tax increases, especially unfair to wage-earning families and seniors. He warned that this tax falls under “general revenue” with unclear fund usage, highly susceptible to arbitrary reallocations.
Asian Unite founder Tuan Ngo urged for more services, stronger accountability, and waste reduction in the community, rather than endless tax hikes.
Max Hisa, a San Jose Republican, mentioned that federal budget cuts and high expenditures in California sanctuary cities are connected. Tax increases should be a last resort, not the only option, with the county truly in need of transparent and efficient financial management.
Rishi Kumar revealed that according to surveys since August, only 20% of respondents support the sales tax increase, with the elderly population overwhelmingly against it, regardless of party affiliation.