May 25, 2008

Vote 'no' on parks-and-rec tax hike

Editorial

Much as we like our local and regional parks, we can't bring ourselves to endorse the Measure O sales tax initiative in San Mateo County because, as written, it doesn't guarantee the money will go to park and recreation programs that need it most.

It's hard to argue against park and recreation programs, especially since we supported a very similar measure to boost the county's sales tax by an eighth of a cent in the fall 2006 election. However, that measure received only 55 percent of the vote - well below the two-thirds required - and we suspect many who rejected it didn't see a pressing need for a funding infusion throughout the county.

The latest reincarnation that appears on the June 3 ballot has not improved with age.

To win over a skeptical electorate, government agencies touting new bonds or taxes usually offer detailed plans for raising and spending the new money. School districts, for example, have done well when they offer specific projects such as construction of a new school wing to replace aging portables or upgrades of malfunctioning heating systems.

It's more complicated with Measure O.

The measure would divvy up $16 million a year among the county, special districts and cities. Yet some communities with good parks and recreation programs don't share the same urgency for funding as others. Why pass a broad-based tax when the relative needs can differ substantially?

We also are uncomfortable that in addition to repairs, improvements and maintenance work, Measure O's wording allows for parks acquisition. A measure that purports to address parks and recreation programs in arrears shouldn't open the door to acquisition of new parklands we cannot afford to maintain in the first place.

Much of the measure seems vague when compared to school bonds our communities routinely support, yet the money would be spent by a variety of jurisdictions for a variety of uses. There would be reports about how the money is distributed, but taxpayers may still have a difficult time weighing Measure O's overall effectiveness.

If Measure O fails, and we urge voters to reject it, we hope supporters will return with a proposal that more clearly spells out which parks and recreation programs would directly benefit, and how.