For many, the ballot statements may be the only guidance in how to cast their votes.
By Edie Riggins/Special to the Malibu Times
Santa Monica and Malibu voters go to the polls June 3 to decide if Measure S is a valid answer to the school district’s budget woes. Politically active citizens on both sides are hoping voters have read their side of the argument in the voter information booklets distributed by the Los Angeles County Registrar. However, titles and groups associated with the signed ballot arguments may be a bit misleading, as some admit the organizations they are associated with are not necessarily supporting or opposing the measure.
If passed, Measure S, a parcel tax proposal by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD), property owners under the age of 65 will be responsible for an additional tax of up to $225 per year on each property for the next six years. Those over the age of 65 can apply for an exemption if they own and live on their property.
More than 66,400 eligible voters in Santa Monica and Malibu received the sample ballot and information booklets with letters of arguments for and against Measure S. For many, this may be the only guidance when considering the issue.
There are no fees associated with submitting arguments for the publication and the rules for submitting a ballot argument or rebuttal are simple. Authors must adhere to word count guidelines of 300 words or less for arguments and 250 words or less for rebuttals. There may be only five authors for arguments and rebuttals. Finally, the authors of all arguments concerning measures must sign a statement declaring that the argument or rebuttal is true and correct to the best of their knowledge.
Proponents and opponents of the issue have been prepared for the argument since Measure EE, a similar tax proposal, failed at the polls in November.
Frank Schwengel, a resident of Santa Monica since 1960, signed as the past president of the Santa Monica Bay Republican Club on a rebuttal to the argument against Measure S.
But the club is now defunct.
Schwengel said the qualifier is just a way to let people know how he has been involved in the community.
He said there are two reasons why he believes Measure S is a good way to boost the school district’s budget.
“We have a new superintendent and a different school board and I feel confident about their ability to handle financial matters,” Schwengel said. “Superintendent (John) Deasy is an extremely intelligent gentleman and a good administrator.
“I have confidence in him and his staff.”
Schwengel is currently a volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club in Santa Monica. As a homeowner over the age of 65, Schwengel may apply for an exemption from the parcel tax if it passes.
“It is a good investment for the community … I’m willing to share whatever I have with other people, and the children especially,” he said. “You just can’t let the children down.”
Others who signed a ballot statement in favor of Measure S are Nathaniel Trives, president-elect of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, James T. Butts Jr., Santa Monica chief of police, Nancy Greenstein, co-chair emeritus of SMRR, Cheri Orgel, president of the Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs and Malibu Mayor Jeff Jennings.
“Santa Monica-Malibu Unified Schools are facing the most severe crisis in their 112-year history as a consequence of massive cuts in state funding,” the group’s ballot statement reads. “Without the passage of Measure S our schools face $13 million in impending cuts and must layoff 22 percent of the total school workforce, including 66 classroom teachers.”
(Ninety-one full-time instructors have already been issued pink slips from both cities. If Measure S passes, all would be reinstated, say supporters of the measure.)
Polly Benson-Brown, an acquaintance of Schwengel’s, has planted herself firmly on the other side of the fence. She signed an argument against Measure S as a member of the Los Angeles County Republican Central Committee.
Although Benson-Brown has been a member of the central committee since 1990 when she was first elected in the June 1990 primary, she said the central committee, as a group, is not endorsing her stance against Measure S because she is the only one of the seven-member committee to live in Santa Monica or Malibu.
“The title is for identification purposes only,” she said. “It is to tell people some of what I do besides signing the ballot argument.”
Benson-Brown, like Schwengel, is over 65 and will not be affected by the parcel tax if it passes. “This issue is academic for me,” she said. “My opposition is not based on if I am going to be able to buy groceries next week, but is this a fair and equitable tax?
“What about someone who has little kids and is having a tough time? They will have no option for exemption.”
Mathew Millen, a Santa Monica resident for more than 20 years and a local attorney, signed the argument against Measure S using his positions as former chair of the Santa Monica High School Bi-lingual Advisory Committee as his identifier. He formed the group Citizens Against Unfair Taxes in response to the measures proposed to create a new parcel tax.
“We think Santa Monica spends too much money on nonresidents rather than school kids,” Millen said. “Santa Monica spent at least $12 million last year developing low income housing.”
Voter information books on Measure S may be obtained by calling the Los Angeles County Registrar at 800.815.2666 or 562.466.1323. The special election takes place June 3.