Sales Tax Increase for Law Enforcement Funding

Summary: If approved by two-thirds of the county’s voters, the measure would increase the county’s 8.25% sales tax by one-half cent to 8.75%. That rate would be higher than in most California counties, but comparable to that of other urban areas, such as New York City and Chicago.

Expected to generate about $560 million a year, the tax hike would substantially boost funding for police forces throughout the county, adding up to 5,000 new officers to the streets. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s budget would increase by 11% and the Los Angeles Police Department’s by 15%.

Los Angeles County, with about 26,000 police officers and sheriff’s deputies guarding a population of about 10 million, has fewer police per capita than many other major U.S. regions.

Supporters: Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca pushed the measure, and the county Board of Supervisors voted to place it on the ballot. Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton, the chiefs of more than 15 other departments, Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn and more than 70 other elected officials also back it.

Opponents: Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. are against the measure, but no organization is raising money to run an opposition campaign.

Impact: The Los Angeles Police Department, the Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies would receive significant new funding if voters approve Measure A. More officers would be hired, which could help cut crime. Taxpayer advocates, however, say that the measure would put another burden on residents who already pay for police services through property, sales and other taxes. The tax increase could cost each consumer as much as $65 a year.

Websites: Information in favor of Measure A: www.sheriffleebaca.org.

Information opposing Measure A: www.hjta.org.