Blog Posts

Measure A FAQ: What Is a “Bona Fide Lease for Occupancy” — and Why Does It Matter?

Measure A says a home may avoid the $10,000 tax if it is leased under a “bona fide lease for occupancy.” But the measure does not clearly define what that means. Instead, City Hall gets to decide later what that means, what paperwork is required — and whether your lease or your occupancy is good enough to satisfy their directives.

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Measure A FAQ: Who Has the Burden of Proof?

Under Measure A, the burden of proof is on the property owner. You have to file proof every year you're entitled to any of the exemptions or exclusions. And the rules and paperwork haven't even been decided yet. That comes later. If the City decides you owe the tax, you may have to prove you qualify for an exemption, prove the City is wrong, and navigate a new bureaucracy just to avoid a $10,000 tax. And guess what? They REALLY want that $10,000!

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Measure A Is a $10,000 Tax on Homes

Measure A would impose a $10,000 annual tax on homes the City decides are “empty.” And because it is a flat tax per unit, a small condo could pay the same $10,000 tax as a $10 million mansion in La Jolla.

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UT Says Measure A Is City Hall’s Latest Reckless Gamble

The San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board has endorsed No on Measure A, warning that the measure continues City Hall’s pattern of rushing into risky decisions without proper due diligence. The editorial gets it right: Measure A is a reckless tax scheme with serious legal, financial, and enforcement risks.

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Who Says Vacancy Taxes Don't Lower Rents or Housing Costs? The City's Own Report!

Measure A is being sold as a housing affordability solution. But the City’s own Independent Budget Analyst report says research on vacancy taxes shows that Vancouver’s vacancy tax did not lower average rents or increase new housing construction.

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Measure A Sends the Money to the General Fund - Not a Dedicated Housing Fund

Measure A is being sold as a housing solution, but the fine print tells a different story. The tax money is not locked into a dedicated affordable housing fund. It goes into the City’s General Fund, where City Hall politicians can spend it on whatever they want.

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Measure A in Plain English: Their Goal May Sound Popular, But It's a Horribly Flawed Proposal

Supporters of Measure A want you to think it's simple: tax "vacant" homes and use the money to help with housing. But the actual 28-page ordinance creates a new tax bureaucracy, sends revenue to the City’s General Fund instead of housing, puts the burden of proof on you, and leaves major enforcement questions unanswered.

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Upcoming Series: The Fine Print in Measure A

Starting next week, we'll be walking voters through the fine print and details of Measure A to show you what it really does, what it doesn't do, and just how bad this would be for San Diego.

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New Ad Highlights Why San Diegans Should Vote No on Measure A

Check out the latest video that highlights why you should vote No on Measure A!

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No on Measure A Campaign Kick Off

No on Measure A kicks off campaign on April 1 warning voters not to be fooled by Measure A!

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