November 3, 2024
Dear Benicia Voters,
As your City Council, we are unified in supporting Measures F, G, and H, which represent a lasting investment in Benicia’s future—strengthening our roads, enhancing infrastructure, and preserving essential services that safeguard our quality of life.
These measures weren’t proposed lightly. They reflect thoughtful planning and a vision to secure a stable, vibrant Benicia for generations to come.
While new taxes can be challenging, they’re a pathway to achieving a resilient city that thrives.
The strength of this vision is reflected in the broad support we’ve received from the Benicia Police Officers Association, Benicia Dispatchers Association, Benicia Fire Association, Solano County Association of Realtors, Napa-Solano Labor Council, California Democratic Party, and many other organizations. With these measures, we’re building a legacy of excellence and reliability that our city deserves.
Let’s come together and Believe in Benicia’s bright future.
Here’s what each measure will accomplish:
Measure F – Street Repair Sales Tax
- A citizen-initiative 0.5% (half-cent) sales tax
- Dedicated exclusively to street repair
- Includes oversight by an independent citizens committee
- Revenue cannot be used for any other purpose
Measure G – Limited Charter City Status
- Establishes Benicia as a Limited Charter City
- Limited and Sole purpose is to enable implementation of the Real Property Transfer Tax (Measure H).
Measure H – Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT)
- Applies to residential and commercial property sales
- Includes important exemptions:
- Family transfers (spouse, children, parents, grandparents)
- Property transfers into trusts
- Mortgage refinancing
- Creates a sustainable revenue source as Benicia grows with new housing development.
- RPTT is a one-time tax (closing cost) only affecting sale of residential and commercial property and can be paid by either party or negotiated.
We strongly believe these Measures will significantly improve Benicia’s future.
While we encourage your support, we most appreciate your thoughtful consideration of both supporting and opposing arguments. Your engagement in this process ensures that the outcome truly reflects our community’s will.
Thank you for your participation in this crucial decision-making process.
Sincerely,
The Benicia City Council
Mayor Steve Young
Vice Mayor Terry Scott
Council Member Trevor Macenski
Council Member Kari Birdseye
Council Member Tom Campbell
Democratic club endorsements like these matter in local elections because they provide the candidates and causes we believe in most with crucial grassroots support. Clubs like PDB often promote their endorsed candidates and help them build name recognition, connect to important volunteer and professional networks, and access Party resources that can elevate campaigns to the next level. Additionally, voters often use club endorsements to help them select candidates. An endorsement from a PDB is a strategic asset for any Democratic candidate–led campaign, even if the candidate doesn’t identify as progressive. Ours is a big tent – all registered Democrats are invited and welcome to seek endorsement from the club.
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