Yes on Proposition K

Proposition K in the City of Carlsbad is a referendum whose biggest problem is that it may be understood by the voters. Although it technically seeks approval for a tax increase, Proposition K would actually add to the city coffers without costing most taxpayers any money. As such, it would seem a good bet for approval unless too many voters enter the polling booths in an anti-tax frame of mind and cast knee-jerk votes against it.

A year ago, voters statewide passed Proposition 62, a constitutional amendment requiring that all local taxes passed since Aug. 1, 1985, be ratified by the voters or rolled back, and all tax increases passed after November, 1986, be approved by popular vote.

Among the taxes affected by this new law was Carlsbad’s business license tax, which is paid by developers of certain kinds of projects who would otherwise escape paying some of the city’s building fees. The purpose of the tax, as with the building fees, is to provide money to pay for the public facilities that new development requires.

Proposition K is the city’s request to have the voters approve an increase in the tax from 2.5% to 3.5%. If the measure fails, the tax will revert to 2%. The increase would bring the business license tax to the same level as the building fees it is intended to mirror.

No organized opposition has surfaced against the tax. No one even came forward to offer a ballot statement opposed to it.

Regardless of how Carlsbad voters view other tax measures on the Nov. 3 ballot, they definitely should do themselves a favor and vote yes for Proposition K.