Letters: Voters need assurance that Measure A funds will be spent properly

"The votes are in, and Measure A won. Congratulations, "Yes on Measure A" team. You ran a good campaign, especially county Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, who did a yeoman's work of spreading the "Yes on A" message. I opposed it, but it's important to acknowledge the win. I hope Santa Clara County sees the final Measure A results and the message they are sending: There was sizeable opposition."

"Measure A appears to have passed, which is meant to help alleviate the budgetary cliff our health care services are seeing due to the Trump administration. The lack of spending requirements, however, and the reporting that Santa Clara County also faces a massive fiscal hurdle in funding Super Bowl preparation, has me worried that our tax dollars may instead go toward a sports event rather than our hospitals."

"With Santa Clara County battling the administration over funding to cover Super Bowl preparations and many of the fund-generating events being planned for San Francisco instead of Santa Clara County, it seems likely that we are going to get stuck with the bill - all for an event we didn't request nor will we profit from. Perhaps the county should look at pushing for the Super Bowl to move to alleviate the budget risk and ensure our taxes go where they should."

Measure A passed in Santa Clara County after a well-organized campaign led in part by county Supervisor Susan Ellenberg. A sizeable portion of voters opposed the measure, reflecting cash-strapped working people worried about basic needs like food, water and utility bills. The measure lacks strict spending requirements, raising concerns that county revenues could be redirected. Santa Clara County faces a large fiscal hurdle linked to Super Bowl preparations and related funding disputes with the administration. Many events are planned for San Francisco, increasing the risk that Santa Clara taxpayers will shoulder costs without local benefit. A proposal suggests urging the Super Bowl to relocate to protect local budgets and ensure funds support healthcare and essential services.

Read at The Mercury News