Scroll down to read why Rishi is No on Measure A
When the Saratoga City Council Proposed a Parcel Tax…
As a fiscal moderate, I believe in thoughtful, data-driven governance—not impulsive, poorly planned tax hikes that risk becoming a modern-day Tughlaq moment.
The Saratoga City Council is currently facing a growing budget deficit, and our public works projects are falling behind. In 2022, the Public Works team raised a red flag: our Pavement Condition Index (PCI) was slipping below the target of 70. They warned that the lower it fell, the harder—and more expensive—it would be to recover. The message was clear: fix it now or pay far more later.
City staff recommended a bond measure or a parcel tax to cover the costs. Most of my council colleagues were ready to follow that path. But I couldn’t support it.
I stood alone as the dissenting vote—not because I ignored the urgency, but because I believe that good governance starts with fiscal responsibility.
As a fiscal moderate, I’ve always believed that tax increases should be a last resort, not a default reaction. Before asking our residents—many of whom are already struggling with inflation and rising living costs—to pay more, we owe them a full accounting of how current dollars are being spent.
California is filled with cautionary tales of government inefficiency and financial mismanagement:
The $20 billion in EDD unemployment fraud during the pandemic.
High-Speed Rail, originally estimated at $33 billion and now projected to exceed $128 billion, with no completion in sight.
Homelessness spending, where billions have been poured into programs with little to no measurable reduction in homelessness across major cities.
These examples reflect a troubling trend: government too often reaches for more funding without first demonstrating results or accountability.
In Saratoga, I pushed for austerity, optimization, and performance auditing before even considering a tax hike. We hadn’t conducted a deep enough review of inefficiencies or explored creative reallocation of funds. I believed we could—and should—do better.
Despite my objections, the council moved forward, hiring a consultant to prepare for a potential ballot measure. But then the community weighed in. Residents began asking: Have we truly done everything possible to manage our finances wisely?
The pressure worked. The City Council ultimately shelved the parcel tax proposal.
Had I voted “yes,” the tax measure likely would have advanced to an expensive, unnecessary election. Instead, my “no” vote served as a line in the sand—a message that leadership is about protecting taxpayers, demanding accountability, and insisting on smart, efficient governance before asking for more.
Rishi Kumar says No to Measure A and No to a Sales Tax Increase
Vote NO on Measure A — It costs too much, does too little, and solves nothing.
It’s time for the county to tighten its belt, not reach into your pocket.
Measure A is a regressive sales tax. This new tax hits low- and middle-income families the hardest during a time of crushing inflation. It’s an open-ended slush fund with no binding oversight, making ours one of the most heavily taxed counties in California.
Vote NO on Measure A because it’s:
A bailout for failure — The county’s recklessly expanded hospital system lost $600 million last year, is projected to lose $1 billion next year, and $1.4–$3 billion by 2030. Measure A’s $330 million per year won’t even scratch the surface, guaranteeing future tax hikes.
Proof the County can’t fix its problems — A Santa Clara County Grand Jury found the Valley Transportation Authority (bus and light rail) has lost billions over the years, covering only 7–10% of costs through fares. Yet county leaders refuse to fix these failing programs before demanding more money from taxpayers.
A legal loophole — The county has known about this deficit for years, yet rushed Measure A onto the ballot with just 24 hours’ notice as an “emergency” general tax. Not a dime will be dedicated to healthcare, and the funds can be spent on anything. It can pass with just 50% plus one vote (instead of the two-thirds required for a dedicated tax) and has no binding oversight to ensure promises are kept.
Measure A isn’t a plan — it’s a last-minute band-aid that hides decades of fiscal mismanagement and guarantees further taxes. Demand real reform, fiscal discipline, and leadership that lives within its means. Vote NO on Measure A.
County of Santa Clara Measure A:
General Retail Transactions (Sales) and Use Tax of Five-Eighths of One Cent for Five Years
To help protect our community from severe federal cuts enacted by President Trump and Congress; support critical local services such as trauma, emergency room, mental health, burn, and cancer care; and reduce the risk of hospital closures at Santa Clara Valley Healthcare and other service cuts—shall the County of Santa Clara adopt a five-eighth cent general sales tax for 5 years, providing $330 million annually that cannot be taken by the federal government and is subject to independent audits/oversight?
