Keeping Up Appearances in L.A. s Public Spaces

Zuma Beach County Park | photo by Dave Parker

What is Measure A?

Measure A would raise property taxes in the County of Los Angeles to help pay for:

Maintaining and improving parks, trails, beaches and open space.

Improving and upgrading recreation centers and senior centers

After school programs for youth

Recycled water systems and drought tolerant landscaping

Protecting and preserving open space, rivers, and creeks.

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Whose taxes would go up and by how much?

If you are a homeowner and live in the County of LA - including all the cities within the County - the tax would apply to you.

Property taxes would go up 1.5 cents for every square foot of your house (or condo). Here's what it mean for various home sizes.

Note that this tax would replace funding from earlier measures that have expired or are about to expire. They were passed about twenty years ago. One expired in 2015. The other will expire in 2019. So the net impact of the tax is lowered.

Whittier Narrows Play Sculptures | photo L.A. Co. Dept. of Parks & Recreation

What would the money be spent on?

The money would go to cities and local communities to maintain and improve parks, open space, trails, beaches, natural habitats, rivers and creeks. More specifically it would:

Upgrade playground equipment

Improve recreation centers and senior centers

Fund after school programs at parks and rec centers

Install systems to use recycled water and rainwater

Plant drought tolerant landscaping to reduce water use

Protect and preserve undeveloped open space, most of it near rivers, creeks and streams.

Mariposa Trail in Hellman Park, Whittier

How much money would be raised?

About $94 million a year.

Is this property tax permanent?

Pretty much. Measure A would stay in effect unless voters decided to end it.

Who is supporting Measure A?

Measure A is supported by the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation. More than a hundred other organizations and elected officials have also endorsed Measure A.

More than 30 civic leaders including Dolores Huerta, Eli Broad, and Tom LaBonge.

More than 70 environmental organizations, civic groups and companies like the Sierra Club, TreePeople, the Nature Conservancy, the Brotherhood Crusade, Heal the Bay, Patagonia and REI.

More than 60 city, county and state elected officials and various city governments.

What are the arguments in favor of Measure A?

Supporters say Measure A will:

Provide safe, clean neighborhood parks, beaches and open space in every area of LA County. Info on State and Local Races

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Our park facilities need safety repairs for our kids and seniors.

Playground equipment is outdated.

Rec centers and restrooms have termite damage, mold, leaky roofs, lead paint and unsafe lighting that need to be replaced.

Good youth programs will give our kids a safe place to go after school and reduce gang activity. Rec centers currently get more 41 million visits by kids each year.

Putting in drought tolerant landscaping and efficient watering systems will save money and conserve water

The financial impact of this tax is lessened because it is actually replacing taxes that have expired or are scheduled to expire soon.

It was put on the ballot after extensive community outreach and input.

Who is opposing Measure A and why?

There does not seem to be any organized opposition to Measure A. We will update this information if opposition develops.

What does a yes or no vote mean?

A yes vote means you agree to raise property taxes for parks, beaches and open space.

A no vote means you do not want property taxes raised for this purpose.

Note: This measure needs 2/3's voter approval to pass.

Where can I get more details on Measure A?

There's a one-page summary here, but if you want the official measure in all its detailed glory go here.

LINK:	https://www.kcet.org/ballot-brief/measure-a-upkeep-of-la-county-public...
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