The proponents of Measure T2018 say Santa Barbara County embarked on a yearlong process to review issues surrounding countywide marijuana grows.
The two cities most impacted by the marijuana operators in our county, Carpinteria and Goleta, oppose the regulatory framework the county adopted to mitigate impacts from marijuana grows.
Opposing Measure T isn’t about opposing the legalization of marijuana. It has solely to do with demanding that our politicians be accountable by specifying how they will spend future taxes. Might the taxes from Measure T be used for public safety and code enforcement? Maybe.
Problem: The county recently lowered assessed values on 53 properties due to the Thomas Fire, totaling $163 million. Several more coastal properties will also be reassessed downward due to Montecito’s mudslide. The cost to rebuild Montecito is expected to exceed $50 million.
The county already had a $50 million structural deficit!
Should we believe more no-strings taxes will be spent protecting neighborhoods from added crime and odors associated with pot grows? The politicians will spend the taxes how they always do, on employee salaries and benefits.
We should tax commercial pot grows to protect neighborhoods from odors and families from the black market of organized crime.
That’s why these funds must be earmarked for police protection, law enforcement, and code compliance. A general tax doesn’t compel that.
Demand our politicians come back with a list of health and safety priorities, and other essential uses, funded and protected via a special tax.
Don’t gamble with the quality of life, health, or safety of county residents.
Peter Adam, Fourth District Santa Barbara County Supervisor
Joe Armendariz, Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association
This article appears in Mar 22-29, 2018.