Potholes. The common enemy of cars on the road and people driving them.
They cause tire damage, blowouts, and huge bills for drivers.
That’s why the City of El Monte wants to fix the problem with Measure EM, which will help provide funding to make improvements to current infrastructure within the city, including its streets, and provide senior and youth programs. Other improvements include repairs to sidewalks, more graffiti removal teams, park improvements and expanded fire safety programs.
Supporters and city officials say that providing more senior and youth programs would benefit residents, especially those who can’t afford to pay for outside care for their families. They also say Measure EM will provide better living conditions for El Monte residents and generate economic development by attracting more businesses to the city.
While better infrastructure and more senior and youth programs sound good on paper, opponents of the measure said the cost is untenable at a time when the economy isn’t booming and residents are struggling to make ends meet. The measure would increase city sales taxes from .50% to .75%, which would be extended indefinitely until residents are able to raise $3.5 million annually.
A tax increase is something some residents say they can’t support at this time.
Andrew Land said it will especially be a burden for low-income residents. Low-income residents in El Monte already struggle to make ends meet because of inflation costs the past few years, he said. Adding another tax increase would push some people over the edge.
“This is going to cost somebody a lot of money. Who will pay for this? That is the big question. [It] seems that sales tax will increase, a move that will affect everyone in the city, especially those on the bottom economic rung of the ladder. Can our poorest residents afford more taxes of any kind? Inflation is already killing the lowest-income earners right now,” Land wrote in a Facebook message replying to a UT Community News query.
Other opponents said they worry all the new revenue generated by the tax increase will be misused by city officials. Resident Eduardo Garcia said the city should consider building affordable housing instead of building more of the high-end luxury apartments that residents can’t afford.
Those “buildings cost a lot of money to rent or buy,” he said.
El Monte residents are encouraged by city officials to come out and decide their future in the upcoming election on November 5.
This article was cross published with the UT Community News’ partner at CALÓ News’ website.
