No on Measure M

Measure M2014 on the June ballot may look like a good idea at first glance, but it would have serious long-term consequences. Seventy five percent of the county budget must go to mandated programs that the state or federal government require, so that the remaining 25 percent is all the discretionary money the county has for other urgent needs. Measure M would take a large portion of that discretionary money away from other important services every year, and permanently. Because no source of funding is provided in this measure, other important programs would have to be cut. The ballot rebuttal against Measure M notes that police, fire, and emergency services might have to be reduced.

The League of Women Voters has always believed that government bodies need flexibility in handling their yearly budgets. This ballot measure does not allow such flexibility. Therefore the League is joining the Environmental Defense Center and other public nonprofits in urging you to vote NO on Measure M2014.