Blog 17 [make up] Done with modules.

 Taxes, the most toxic, hated word in the American political lexicon for 98% of Americans no matter where on the political spectrum they are. That is because it requires people to pay their own money back into the state, which will always be failing at something. Which leaves many Americans feeling like their tax dollars are being abused, misspent, or downright stolen. However as we read in class, there are many kinds of different taxes, with different purposes, and implementations.

Taxes found in Santa Clara County

San Jose: San Jose is the biggest city in the County and within the region. Given that, there is a tremendous strain on the city resources. Thus a remedy to this was to pass a tax on the cities thriving Retail and Medical Marijuana Stores. The result is a 10% tax on gross receipts, separate from the state, and county tax. Meaning that patients with Cancer and other serious medical issues payed upwards of 25% on their uninsured, unsubsidized medicine. Former Supervisor Cortese lead an effort that has since created a system to help medical patients circumvent the county, and some state taxes. Which showcases a county working with a specific interest group in order to improve a partially broken system.

Palo Alto: The city of Palo Alto is known for many things, tech, Stanford, great schools, and yes sky high price in everything. However, part of the reason their schools are so well funded and cared for, is the way they tax their very affluent Tax base. In our book that would be defined as harnessing the tax capacity of their constituents. This is exemplified by the Education Parcel Tax that created a tax of $758 per parcel per year. They do have circuit breakers built into the tax, for seniors and those with a low income.

Mountain View: I will put it politely by saying I found this city to be among the most ethically confusing in the County. A very good example of this is the TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX, which applies a 10% tax to people living in hotels for more than 30 days. With only one circuit breaker mentioned, it is for Governmental employees. While it can be said that Mountain View has many extended stay hotels where non resident tech workers live "tax free." The reality is that those people are contributing to the tax base through sales taxes etc. This tax is actually also greatly impacts low income individuals and families, who have been "banned" from living in mobile homes within the city.

San Jose: Measure E was a tax measure that looked to impose a tax during the transfer of property, either through sale or inheritance.  A yes vote "supported authorizing the city to impose a real property transfer tax at the following rates, 0.75% for property valued between $2 million and $5 million,  1.0% for property valued between $5,000,000.01 and $10 million, and 1.5% for property valued over $10 million. The tax measure also exempted any transfer worth under 2 million, meaning the tax was extremely progressive.