Measure R Backers Concede Popularity Might Be Spent : Politics: Many in diverse alliance of leaders say they know their stance might cost them at the polls but they feel obligated to speak out to sway undecided voters.

Active in local GOP groups and a self-described “conservative Republican,” County Clerk-Recorder Gary Granville admits he doesn’t seem like the type to speak out in favor of a half-cent sales tax increase.

“If someone were to tell me a year ago that I would be supporting this, I would have said, ‘No. No way,’ ” Granville said.

But six months into the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, Granville and 103 other elected officials who back Measure R have concluded that a tax increase is needed to dig out of the financial crisis.

“I’m not for taxes,” said Granville, noting that Measure R is the first tax hike he’s ever actively supported. “It’s absolutely necessary. . . . It’s the honorable way. I feel passionately about this.”

According to a Times survey, about 44% of Orange County’s elected officials oppose Measure R, while 36% support it. About 20% are undecided.

The pro-Measure R forces represent a diverse group, from veteran city leaders to newly elected school board members.

After much soul-searching over the past few weeks, many officials said they felt an obligation to publicly support Measure R, even though their stance might be politically unpopular in conservative Orange County. A Times poll of county voters conducted in April found a majority opposed the tax hike.

“The people can vote me out in 3 1/2 years if they want,” said newly elected Brea Olinda Unified School District Trustee Carol L. Nurum. “This is not a popular position. But sometimes we have to do things that are unpopular.”

The tax increase was first proposed earlier this year by County Chief Executive Officer William J. Popejoy, who said it was needed to help the county make upcoming debt payments and carry out its recovery plan. The tax hike--from 7.75% to 8.25%--would generate $130 million a year for 10 years.

According to the Times survey, a quarter of the elected officials said they back Measure R to protect schools and law enforcement. Nearly a fifth said the tax hike represents the only way to raise enough money for the county.

Most officials interviewed said they don’t expect to receive much political fallout as a result of their stance. In fact, some said they hope that by taking a stand they can convince undecided voters to support Measure R.

“I think hopefully there are people who might look at myself and others for guidance on this issue,” said Edward H. Decker, a Newport-Mesa Unified School District trustee. “Whatever political ramifications there are to me personally, they are unimportant compared to the health and welfare of the county and the schools.”

Some anti-tax activists said that supporters of Measure R should be held accountable for their actions.

“I think their votes should have repercussions,” said Bruce Whitaker, spokesman for the Committees of Correspondence, a vocal anti-tax group. “I think a lot of citizens who are tapped out by taxes are going to view this as a litmus test to whether [elected officials] are taxers.”

Whitaker and others argue that the tax hike would hurt the local economy and scuttle attempts to radically downsize county government.

Many pro-Measure R leaders agreed that county government must be restructured but stressed that the passage of the tax increase will not diminish downsizing efforts.

“If there was a plan that did not require a tax increase, I would support it,” added Newport-Mesa’s Decker. “I see no realistically feasible alternative.”

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Public, Leaders In Line on Measure R

About a third of Orange County’s elected officials favor Measure R, about the same support found among voters countywide. But elected leaders rate the job performance of County Chief Executive Officer William J. Popejoy more favorably than do residents. Both groups share a negative view of how county supervisors have handled the fiscal crisis:

If the election were held today, would you vote yes or no on Measure R?

General public*:

Yes: 36%

No: 57%

Undecided: 7%

Elected officials:

Yes: 37%

No: 44%

Undecided: 19%

How would you rate the job performance of Chief Executive Officer William J. Popejoy in handling the county’s financial crisis?

General public*:

Excellent: 6%

Good: 24%

Only fair: 35%

Poor: 15%

Don’t know: 20%

Elected officials:

Excellent: 21%

Good: 43%

Only fair: 23%

Poor: 5%

Don’t know: 8%

How would you rate the job performance of the Orange County Board of Supervisors in handling the county’s financial crisis?

General public*:

Excellent: 1%

Good: 12%

Only fair: 33%

Poor: 48%

Don’t know: 6%

Elected officials:

Excellent: 1%

Good: 15%

Only fair: 43%

Poor: 34%

Do you think the investment fund losses will hurt the quality of life in Orange County?

General public*:

A Lot: 26%

Somewhat: 46%

Not much: 13%

Not at all: 9%

Don’t know: 6%

Elected officials:

A Lot: 27%

Somewhat: 53%

Not much: 13%

Not at all: 3%

Don’t know: 4%

* April 6-9 Times Orange County Poll

Differing Views

Opponents and supporters of Measure R hold sharply different views concerning Chief Executive Officer William J. Popejoy and the county’s efforts so far to recover from the bankruptcy:

Popejoy job rating

How Voting:

Yes on R No on R Undecided Excellent/good 87% 43% 64% Fair/poor 5% 51% 21% Don’t know 8% 6% 14%

County efforts at cost-cutting

How Voting:

Yes on R No on R Undecided Excellent/good 37% 6% 21% Fair/poor 52% 85% 59% Don’t know 11% 9% 20%

County efforts to privatize services

How Voting:

Yes on R No on R Undecided Excellent/good 14% 5% 8% Fair/poor 53% 81% 54% Don’t know 33% 14% 38%

Source: Times survey