Three measures will appear on Long Beach’s June 7 ballot. Measure A asks voters to increase the current 9-percent sales tax for a 10-year period. Measure B asks voters to establish a “rainy day” fund to be added to the General Fund. Measure LB asks for $850 million in bonds to upgrade and build facilities at Long Beach City College.” captionposition=”right”] [aesop_character name=”Sebastian Echeverry” caption=”Staff Writer” align=”center”] It seems as though June 7 will be a busy day for government officials: the Presidential Primary Election will take place in California as well as other states; Long Beach will host a run-off election for its 2nd council district; three measures will be included on the Long Beach ballot; and the election for the State Assembly will take place, with incumbent Patrick O’Donnell running against two qualified write-in candidates for the District 70 primary.
Run-off
A run-off election for candidates Jeannine Pearce and Eric Gray will take place on June 7. Both are vying to represent the 2nd district on the Long Beach City Council.
Measures
Three measures will appear on the Long Beach ballot.
The first, Measure A, asks voters to allow the City of Long Beach to increase the current 9-percent sales tax for a 10-year period. The tax would be 10 percent for six years, effective Jan. 1, 2017. It would then downgrade to 9.5 percent for the remaining four years.
In the first six years, sales tax income would generate $48 million annually. The City seeks to use that money to: increase staffing for police, fire and paramedic departments; maintain 911 emergency response services; and maintain the City’s general services. Long Beach must hold a citizens’ advisory committee and independent audits to use the money.
Measure B asks voters to allow the City to establish a budget stabilization fund to keep emergency and community services operational in times of economic recession. The “rainy day” fund will be added to the General Fund. One percent of any new general tax revenue shall be deposited and spent only to balance the budget.
The measure for the Long Beach City College District— Measure LB— states that, given $850 million in bonds at legal rates, the school would use that money for various student services, including building and upgrading classrooms and improving utilities and college facilities. The money is not to be used for administrators’ salaries. It is to be used locally, and it requires public oversight and independent audits.
State Assembly
Primary elections for the California State Assembly will also take place June 7. The general election will take place on Nov. 8.
O’Donnell will be the only candidate whose name will appear on the June 7 ballot for the 70th District. However, two candidates have qualified as write-ins: Billy Graham (Democrat) and Martha Flores-Gibson (Republican).
For more information, visit sos.ca.gov .
