A lesson about Measure A that we all can learn
The defeat of Measure A last Tuesday took many by surprise, on both sides of the issue. With $141,000 invested by the folks behind the measure and a professional political firm hired to push it through, it seemed like an inevitable win.
But should the loss have been a surprise when residents already weighed in on the idea of an increased parcel tax in a survey conducted last fall? The defeat of Measure A resulted in almost an identical percentage outcome as the survey results.
When the survey asked residents if they would vote to either renew the current parcel tax of $225 with no increase OR renew the current tax and add an additional parcel tax of $525, the results showed only 29%-36% of the voters would “definitely” support either of these options.
Likewise, Measure A was supported by only 31% of the voters.
But here is the kicker: the survey revealed that most MB residents are open to more school funding.
Statement from the MBUSD 2021 Parcel Tax Measure Study
Nearly 6 in 10 voters believe MBUSD needs more funding—up slightly from January 2021. Fifty-seven percent believe there is at least “some” need. But just 15% believe this need is “great.”
Click here to view the survey summary.
So where did the folks from Measure A go wrong? In short…they underestimated the MB voters.
We asked residents to tell us why they voted against the measure and the majority responded that a reasonable explanation was never provided to justify the tax jump from $225 to $1,095. Not providing a budget for the proposed tax hike was a mistake.
Other reasons people voted NO:
Making accusations against neighbors who brought forth reasonable questions and opposing facts was considered unkind and unacceptable.
Using donations for the measure that residents made in good faith to MBEF and the PTA were seen as unethical.
So the takeaway for all of us should be very encouraging. We are still the financially generous yet fiscally responsible community that we have been for years, and by and large, we are still the community that values treating all with respect, even when we disagree.
That’s Manhattan Beach.
~MBStrong…join us.
Please let us know your thoughts by emailing us at MBStrong2021@gmail.com
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