Political Organizations and Leaders Of All Stripes Oppose Arena Tax

The full spectrum of political party organizations and clubs from the Democratic Party of Sacramento to the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association joined forces today at a press conference on the steps of the state capitol to urge Sacramento area voters to vote NO on the Arena Tax (Measures Q & R). Organizations attending the event to lend support for the growing grassroots campaign against Measures Q & R included the Sacramento County Democratic Central Committee, Howard Jarvis Taxpayer's Association, Green Party of Sacramento, Libertarian Party of Sacramento, American Independent Party of Sacramento, Peace & Freedom Party, Republicans of River City, Sacramento County Young Republicans, Women Democrats of Sacramento, Town and Country Democratic Club, Sacramento Young Democrats, Sacramento City Taxpayer Rights League, and the Sacramento County Taxpayer’s League.

“The Sacramento Democratic Central Committee voted overwhelmingly to oppose the Arena Tax because it is a bad deal for Sacramento,” stated Rick Wathen, Sacramento Democratic Central Committee. “Our community has more important priorities. Before we give away millions of dollars to out of town billionaires we should be improving our local schools, fighting crime and providing quality healthcare to everyone in our community. Look closely at the upcoming multimillion dollar barrage of slick advertising that is on its way from the Arena Tax proponents and see the Arena Tax for what it is – a handout of tax dollars to out of town billionaires and developers. ”

Measures Q & R (The Arena Tax) will increase the sales tax in Sacramento County to raise $562 million to build a sports and entertainment facility, with all revenues from the facility going to the Maloof Sports and Entertainment Corporation. If approved, none of the additional sales tax dollars will be available for desperately-needed community projects for at least 7 years after construction of the arena has been completed. Community leaders and elected officials from all over Sacramento County agree that public dollars should not be used to subsidize billionaire sports team owners when basic community needs such as flood control, public safety, education, housing and healthcare must be addressed first.

“The Arena Tax is a bad deal for Sacramento and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association urges voters to reject this blatant end run around proposition 218,” stated Jon Coupal, Howard Jarvis Taxpayer's Association. “Proposition 218 requires a 2/3 vote on a special tax. Even if the measure passes, the way it will appear on the ballot is misleading and manipulative. We urge our members to vote No.”

Sacramentans Against the Arena Tax is a campaign to oppose Measures Q & R in Sacramento County. The campaign is being led by a strong coalition of community leaders, organizations and individuals that have come together to stop the Arena Tax. For more information please visit http://www.Stopthearenatax.org or call Shawnda Westly at (916) 201-8582.