"When Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and a coalition of prosecutors, public defenders and law enforcement officers endorsed a county sales tax hike, it was a political turning point for last fall's Measure A campaign. But it turns out that the ballot language that misled voters to think some of the new tax money would be used for public safety also fooled key political leaders who lent their name and financial backing to the measure."
"With the backing of the DA, mayor and public safety workers, the measure passed with 57% support in the Nov. 4 election. But now, as Williams vows to spend the new tax money only on health care and seeks from the District Attorney's Office some of the proportionately biggest county budget reduction targets, public safety advocates say they were misled. I feel double-crossed, says Rosen. I don't understand it given that I worked very hard to get this measure passed."
Measure A was endorsed by Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, prosecutors, public defenders and law enforcement after revised ballot language implied new sales tax revenue would protect public safety. The endorsements and some campaign support shifted opposition into backing, and the measure passed with 57% of the vote. County Executive James Williams plans to allocate the revenue to health care only and targets significant budget reductions affecting the District Attorney's Office. Public safety advocates say they were misled and feel betrayed. The episode underscores tension between expanding county health spending and public safety funding.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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