Taxpayer dollars used to support local transportation tax in violation of law
Sacramento, CA – The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the Central Coast Taxpayers Association today (18) announced they have filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) alleging campaign reporting violations of the Political Reform Act by the County of San Luis Obispo, the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) and the Yes on Measure J Committee, a committee primarily formed to support San Luis Obispo County Measure J-16, the so-called Self Help Local Transportation Tax measure on the November 8, 2016 ballot.
The complaint alleges that the Respondents violated campaign reporting laws by failing to report nearly a quarter of a million taxpayer dollars spent by the County and SLOCOG on promotional materials and government employee and contractor compensation supporting Measure J, as campaign contributions. The promotional materials that were sent to registered voters of San Luis Obispo County taken in context unambiguously urge voters to support Measure J and were not informational only. The government employee and contractor compensation was for engaging in coordinated Yes on Measure J messaging with Yes on J Committee leaders in appearances before numerous San Luis Obispo County civic organizations at which organizational endorsements of Yes on Measure J were sought.
HJTA and CCTA are being represented by Chuck Bell of the law firm Bell McAndrews & Hiltachk which specializes in California political law.
HJTA is California’s largest taxpayer advocacy organization. In addition to protecting Proposition 13, HJTA has prevailed in numerous lawsuits against government entities which have wrongfully spent taxpayer money for political purposes. CCTA is a San Luis Obispo County organization formed to protect San Luis Obispo County taxpayer interests. Andrea Seastrand is President of CCTA.
Jon Coupal is the President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA). HJTA, with offices in both Los Angeles and Sacramento, is the largest taxpayers association in California with a membership of over 200,000. Founded by the late Howard Jarvis, the author of Proposition 13, HJTA’s name is synonymous with tax relief and the uncompromising defense of the California homeowner.