Safer Palm Desert. Restore Public Safety. No New Sales Tax.

Dr. Gregg Akkerman: Co-Chair

Stephen Nelson: Co-Chair

Argument Against Measure G

The argument against Measure G is simple: the City Council messed up and wants all of us to pay more at every store.

In 2020, the Council gutted the police budget by millions, spun it as “smart police budgeting,” and ignored taking responsibility when violent crime shot up 45%.

Rather than restoring the police budget, the Council is now declaring a false financial crisis stating reserves will be out of money in three years and that the only solution is a sales tax increase. NOW IS NOT THE TIME! Do you want to pay more at department stores, restaurants, or drug stores? Under their proposal, 100% of Palm Desert residents will pay more at every store.

Here’s what’s really going on: the Council gutted the public safety budget creating a spike in crime. Now they are using the high crime rate as a scare tactic to convince you to give them more of your money without any oversight.

They tell us the new revenue will be spent only on important projects, but the ballot initiative includes the designation, “general government use.” That’s code for, “We can give administrators big raises and spend the money on vanity projects.” The Council already proved they mismanaged the public safety budget, so why should we trust them now?

All of us are facing historic inflation, and tightening our belts is what’s best for now. With high prices still hitting our pocketbooks, we need to explore common-sense solutions to our city’s financial problems before we consider new taxes with no built-in oversight. Now is not the time.

• Don’t fall for the scare tactics
• Don’t allow 100% of Palm Desert residents to pay higher taxes
• Don’t vote to pay more at every store

Vote no on Measure G. www.NoOnGPalmDesert.com