The Tax Hike Measure Needs Explaining

When tax increase measures fail in Orange County, the fact that the voters are conservative is blamed. I think this is frequently an alibi for the failure of the political consultants to justify the passage of their measures.

Orange County voters are more likely than others to know that our nation is in bad shape financially, that the deficit may not matter but that the amount they have to pay in income tax to support the interest on the deficit certainly does matter. They know that they face increases in state taxes and in federal taxes.

I don’t think it is realized that someone earning as much $40,000 per year, after withholding and payment of rent or house payments, may face a money problem.

This is particularly true if they have any members of the family with medical problems or have children to be educated.

I do not say this to have anyone sympathize with them, just to have the sponsors of measures face the fact that very many people in Orange County feel or have the need to be concerned with the amount of money they spend.

When I headed bond campaigns, I tried to see that the voters were not only told what the measure would accomplish but why they, as residents or as businessmen, should vote for it.

Why should the poor vote for Measure M? Reasons exist.

Why should the 10% of Orange County residents who told a Los Angeles Times survey that they have no problem with congestion vote for it? Reasons exist.

Why should those opposed to high-occupancy vehicle lanes vote for Measure M? Good reasons exist.

What has been the effect of congestion on employment?

What businesses have left Orange County because of this, among other reasons?

How great is the increase in congestion going to be in spite of the money from Proposition 111?

Where will this occur?

Is it true that by the year 2000 the buying power of the 9-cent tax will be less than 5 cents in 1990 money?

These are only a few of the things Orange County voters need to be told if they are expected to vote for a new Measure M.

Answers exist, and they should be spelled out for the voters.

ALBERT ZORASTER

San Clemente