Hilda Zacarias, candidate for the 33rd State Assembly District, now has the support of California’s Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell. In a statement released to the media, O’Connell said he found Hilda’s life story “particularly inspiring.” Zacarias is a Santa Maria native. She attended local schools, starting with the Head Start program, and went on to attend Cal Poly, SLO, and Harvard University. She also owned her own tax accounting business for more than a decade. “Hilda’s skill sets as an accountant, auditor, and small business owner are sorely needed in the state’s capital. I’m voting for Hilda Zacarias for Assembly,” O’Connell said in the release. In response to the endorsement, Zacarias issued the following statement: “It’s a great honor to be endorsed by the State Superintendent of Schools. I will work to continue Jack O’Connell’s legacy of educational excellence and opportunity for all school children.” Zacarias is currently a Santa Maria City Council member. She is running unopposed as the Democratic candidate for the 33rd Assembly District, which stretches from San Miguel to Lompoc.
At it’s May 18 meeting, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors expressed its support of Measure K, the 2010 Transient Occupancy Tax or Hotel Bed Tax. The measure, which charges tourists and other hotel users a 10 percent bed tax, will appear on the June 8 ballot. According to information in a staff report presented at the meeting, the tax rate has been at 10 percent for more than 20 years. If the measure isn’t approved by voters, the report said, the tax rate would drop to 8 percent. As a result, the county would lose approximately $1.2 million to $1.4 million annually. “We strongly urge people to consider the impact of losing another $1.2 million in funds during this economic recession,” board chair and 2nd District Supervisor Janet Wolf said after hearing the report. “Loss of these funds is permanent unless it is approved on June 8 or placed on a subsequent ballot.”
This article appears in May 27 – Jun 3, 2010.
