By Robert Haugh
Voters in Santa Clara County approved Measure A, a county-wide sales tax increase of 0.625 percent. The latest information for the registrar has the Yes vote at almost 57 percent.
The Yes on Measure A campaign raised over $2.6 million. That total includes $525,000 from the Valley Health Foundation, the county health system’s nonprofit.
The No on Measure A campaign reported no contributions.
Officials estimate the additional tax will generate about $330 million annually. County officials say that the revenue will offset deep federal reductions in Medicaid and food-assistance funding.
But the tax increase was structured as a general tax. That means revenues flow into the County general fund rather than being legally tied to a specific purpose.
In many cities within the county, the combined sales tax rate is expected to rise from roughly 9.125 to 9.75 percent once the increase takes effect.
Santa Clara’s new sales tax will be 9.75 percent. Neighboring cities will be higher. Milpitas and San Jose will rise to 10 percent. Campbell will increase to 10.5 percent.
The lesson from Election Day 2025 is that the County can’t manage its finances. And from now on, shop in Santa Clara to save money.
Considering no funds were put into a No campaign, the No vote did well.
Pay attention Yes supporters.
This certainly wasn’t a landslide victory like Prop 50.
All the No voters of will be watching decisions made by
County and use of these funds. And if it continues past April 2031.
You all who voted for this have been bamboozled.
This tax will never go away and I’m betting that it’s used in other areas.
The county can’t control its spending and has their hands in our pockets again.
At some point it has to stop.
If you think this is the last attempt to take more from us, just wait and see.