Menlo Together coordinating committee has endorsements for local and state measures that impact our vision and values.
Local Measures
YES on Menlo Park Measure CC
Menlo Park faces long term fiscal challenges due to loss of ongoing revenue from state and local sources. To partially fill the gap, Measure CC will increase our Transient Occupancy Tax (the “hotel tax”) which will help the city sustain important public services.
YES on East Palo Alto Measure JJ
Measure JJ codifies the expressed intent of a 2.5% gross receipts tax on landlords doing business in EPA to direct funds towards housing, anti-displacement and anti-homelessness programs.
YES on Palo Alto Measure D
Improve access to the Palo Alto transit hub to reduce bus travel time and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, including improvements to access from Menlo Park. Voter approval is required to redesignate a sliver of land currently designated as parkland. Measure D is endorsed by partners at Palo Alto Forward and Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition. More detailed analysis here.
State Ballot Propositions:
YES on Prop 4 to Prevent Wildfires, Provide Clean, Safe Drinking Water
The CA State Legislature asks voters to approve a $10 billion bond to invest in proven strategies to detect, prevent and reduce intensity and spread of fires in every region, upgrade our water infrastructure to protect us from droughts and water pollution, and protect our iconic forests, mountains, rivers and coast.
YES on Prop 5 for Safe Affordable Communities
Prop 5 empowers local voters to approve bonds for affordable housing, critical public infrastructure, and emergency response in our communities with a 55% vote – if those bonds have strict accountability and oversight. Prop 5 shifts power about policy and spending priorities away from state government and into the hands of local voters and taxpayers.
YES on State Proposition 6 to End Slavery
Prop 6 enhances public safety and prioritizes rehabilitation by prohibiting all forms of slavery in California, abolishing an exception allowing forced labor in prisons. Abolishing this exception supports the rehabilitation and reintegration of incarcerated people by allowing them to choose meaningful educational and rehabilitative programs over forced labor.
NO on State Proposition 36 to Stop Prison Spending
Prop 36 reverses criminal justice reforms that reduce mass incarceration and promote rehabilitation. Prop 36 imposes stricter sentences for minor offenses such as drug possession and retail theft, cuts funding from mental health and rehabilitation programs that help ensure people getting out of jail or prison are less likely to offend, and uses that money to build and expand state prisons. New laws have already been passed for retail theft prosecution and fentanyl trafficking.
Endorsement recommendations are prepared by the Menlo Together active participants who work on our committees and events. To get more involved, sign up here.