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A Measure JJ Primer
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JJ in a Nutshell:
Measure JJ is a minor revision to EPA’s Measure L, a tax passed in 2022 by 70% of EPA voters. It cements into law the housing uses mentioned in the 2022 measure and widely announced in official ballot and campaign materials. JJ will ensure that the housing priorities enumerated in the Measure L ballot language are followed. Measure JJ requires our city officials to spend this money how the voters understood it was to be spent.
Background:
East Palo Alto housing activists mounted a ballot intuitive signature gathering campaign to qualify a measure for the November 2024 election. This citizens’ initiative designated the revenues generated by previously passed Measure L, a 2.5% gross rental receipts tax, as a specific tax to fund much needed tenant rental assistance and to further affordable housing and housing preservation in East Palo Alto.
Despite Measure L having received 69.4% of the vote in November 2022, the measure was placed on the ballot by the City Council as a general tax with advisory language stating that the tax may be used for housing purposes but was available for general municipal uses also. By placing this initiative on the ballot through this signature gathering process, this tax measure will only require fifty percent voter approval to secure passage of a dedicated tax for the above mentioned uses.
In June, initiative qualified to be placed on the November 2024 after more than 40 dedicated community organizers and housing activists gathered 2060 signatures, more than the 10% of EPA’s 11,000 registered voters required.
Our reasons for the initiative and Measure JJ:
How the tax revenue will be allocated:
1. A minimum of 30% of the tax revenues shall be used exclusively for tenant rental assistance;
2. A maximum of 20% of the tax revenues shall be used for reasonably incurred costs to the City of EPA for staff and overhead to administer the section; and
3. The remaining revenue may, at the discretion of the City Council, be used in any way that supports affordable homeownership, preserves affordable housing, furthers tenant rental assistance, or protects residents of the City of East Palo Alto from displacement or homelessness.
Measure JJ is a minor revision to EPA’s Measure L, a tax passed in 2022 by 70% of EPA voters. It cements into law the housing uses mentioned in the 2022 measure and widely announced in official ballot and campaign materials. JJ will ensure that the housing priorities enumerated in the Measure L ballot language are followed. Measure JJ requires our city officials to spend this money how the voters understood it was to be spent.
Background:
East Palo Alto housing activists mounted a ballot intuitive signature gathering campaign to qualify a measure for the November 2024 election. This citizens’ initiative designated the revenues generated by previously passed Measure L, a 2.5% gross rental receipts tax, as a specific tax to fund much needed tenant rental assistance and to further affordable housing and housing preservation in East Palo Alto.
Despite Measure L having received 69.4% of the vote in November 2022, the measure was placed on the ballot by the City Council as a general tax with advisory language stating that the tax may be used for housing purposes but was available for general municipal uses also. By placing this initiative on the ballot through this signature gathering process, this tax measure will only require fifty percent voter approval to secure passage of a dedicated tax for the above mentioned uses.
In June, initiative qualified to be placed on the November 2024 after more than 40 dedicated community organizers and housing activists gathered 2060 signatures, more than the 10% of EPA’s 11,000 registered voters required.
Our reasons for the initiative and Measure JJ:
- The singular source of revenue for Measure L is a 2.5% tax on residential rent receipts. This money can be said to be derived from tenants and should benefit them and housing related issues in the city that could alleviate their plight.
- The advisory language in Measure L mentioned only housing related uses.
- Measure L passed by an overwhelming majority (69.47%)
- The City’s last budget allocated a majority of general fund Measure L monies to non-housing/tenant related issues.
- We want to ensure these funds are used for housing/tenant issues as indicated in the advisory language to the voters in November 2022.
- Housing/tenant support for struggling legacy residents is critical to avoid displacement.
How the tax revenue will be allocated:
1. A minimum of 30% of the tax revenues shall be used exclusively for tenant rental assistance;
2. A maximum of 20% of the tax revenues shall be used for reasonably incurred costs to the City of EPA for staff and overhead to administer the section; and
3. The remaining revenue may, at the discretion of the City Council, be used in any way that supports affordable homeownership, preserves affordable housing, furthers tenant rental assistance, or protects residents of the City of East Palo Alto from displacement or homelessness.