"Los Angeles County voters will soon decide whether they want to pay a temporary sales tax to shore up the region's public healthcare system, which is facing dramatic federal funding cuts. Officials estimate the county will lose more than $2 billion in healthcare funding over the next three years."
"The county currently has a base sales tax rate of 9.75%, and cities impose additional local taxes on top of that. If approved, the tax would take effect Oct. 1 and last for five years. The exact tax rate would vary depending on the city."
"Supporters say it's the only thing that will save the healthcare system from being devastated by federal funding cuts. Critics contend that past sales tax money has been poorly deployed and another tax will further drive up the cost of living."
"“This is going to be a tougher year for taxes than prior years,” said former supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who pushed through a property tax ballot measure in 2002 to fund the county's trauma care network. “There's a limit to the tolerance people have for increasing their own taxes.”"
Los Angeles County voters will vote in the June 2 primary on a temporary sales tax intended to strengthen the public healthcare system amid large federal funding cuts. Officials estimate the county will lose more than $2 billion in healthcare funding over the next three years. The county’s current base sales tax rate is 9.75%, with cities adding local taxes. If approved, the new tax would begin Oct. 1 and run for five years, with the exact rate varying by city. Supporters say the measure is necessary to prevent devastation from federal reductions. Critics argue prior sales tax funds were poorly used and another tax would raise the cost of living.
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