North Long Beach's Deforest Park Neighborhood Ass'n Is First Citywide To Schedule BOTH Sides -- For And Against -- Proposed Sales Tax Increase Ballot Measure; May 18 Meeting, Open To Public Citywide, Not A Debate But An Informational/Educational Forum, Schedules Mayor Garcia In Support And An Advocate In Opposition

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(May 7, 2016, 12:25 p.m.) -- North Long Beach's Deforest Park Neighborhood Association has announced it will present both sides -- with advocates in support and in opposition -- on City Hall's proposed sales tax increase ballot measure (Measure A).

The meeting -- on May 18 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at 6255 Deforest Ave -- "won't be a debate, but an educational and informational meeting" with Mayor Robert Garcia (who co-signed the ballot argument in support) speaking in support of the sales tax increase ballot measure. The Deforest Park Neighborhood Association says an individual in opposition (the ballot arguments also include individuals in opposition) will present the opposing point of view.

To LBREPORT.com's knowledge, this is the first meeting citywide in this election cycle to present both sides of the ballot measure. Some other LB neighborhood and civic groups have enabled one-sided presentations where city officials dispense all information and field all questions on the issue. Some Council incumbents have also held their own meetings offering one-sided presentations at which officials dispense all truths.

"This is not a debate but an educational and informational meeting designed to provide information for the residents and public regarding the measure on the June ballot," says a Deforest Park Neighborhood Association release. "Questions will follow for the speakers. Deforest Park is a 501(c)3 non-profit and is required to provide equal time while presenting this issue. The meeting is open to the public," the release from Dan Pressburg states.

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Measure A would increase LB's sales tax to 10% (currently 9% in Lakewood/Signal Hill and 8% in most OC cities) and is a general tax increase that would allow current and future City Councils to spend its revenue on any general fund items they wish.

In putting Measure A on the ballot, the Council approved a non-binding resolution expressing the Council's stated "intent" to prioritize spending for purposes including public safety and infrastructure which also includes the following verbiage:

...Although this Resolution expresses the intent of the current City Council to spend future TUT revenues for certain priorities, this Resolution is non-binding on any future or subsequently constituted City Council, and the TUT shall remain a "general tax" as that term is defined in Article XII1C §1(a) of the California Constitution, and as set forth in the proposed TUT ordinance. [Source: LB City Council Resolution 16-0018, Paragraph 3.]

L.A. County's Registrar of Voters tells LBREPORT.com that vote by mail ballots for the June 7 electon are expected to be mailed out on or about May 9.