Published in the September 26 – October 9, 2018 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By John Horner

John Horner

This past year the Chamber board authorized a new committee to focus on pertinent government issues that could have an impact on Morgan Hill businesses.  The Government Relations Committee has been formed and provides monthly recommendations to the Chamber board on proposed ballot measures, propositions and legislation. The board has reviewed the local measures and state propositions on the upcoming Nov. 6 ballot.

After its analysis, the Chamber has decided to support:

Santa Clara County Measure A, which is the conversion of the current temporary one-eighth cent sales tax to a permanent increase. The board of supervisors rejected a one-half cent sales tax increase ballot recommendation in lieu of extending the current level of funding which has been determined to be required to continue countywide services.

Morgan Hill Measure H, which increases the transient occupancy tax charged to hotel guests from l0 to 11 percent. The Morgan Hill hoteliers have supported this increase as part of the overall Tourism Improvement Business District implementation plan.

Morgan Hill Measure J – which allows the city clerk position to be appointed by the city manager rather than elected. We are the last of two cities in Santa Clara County that has an elected Clerk. The current clerk is in support of the measure and passage will result in a bi-annual election cost savings of $15,000.

State Proposition 3, which authorizes an $8.877 billion State General Obligation Bond Law to finance infrastructure projects, and fund improvements to help create sustainable water management, including recycling, in the state. Sustainable water will continue to be California and Morgan Hill issue. The city is currently projecting a 22 percent increase in water usage by 2035 even with increased conservation efforts.

State Proposition 5, which will further extend the portability of Prop. 13 property tax basis by removing the geographic restrictions. This measure could help ease the housing shortage by freeing up modest-priced and move-up housing for young families, while allowing seniors, who fear a big property tax increase if they sell their existing home to buy another one. Almost three-quarters of homeowners 55 and older haven’t moved since 2000.

In addition to Propositions 3 and 5, the Chamber also supports State Propositions 1 and 2.

Morgan Hill Measure I: The Chamber board is currently evaluating the impact of the measure which would enable Morgan Hill to tax the sale or growth of cannabis, if the city council were to pass an ordinance to legalize the sale or growth of cannabis. We have not taken a position on this measure at this time.

This November’s elections are important and critical at the federal, state, and local level. Regardless of your position on these measures, propositions and candidates, let’s all get out there and vote.

John Horner is the CEO and president of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce.