Election Day Around the Bay
By CHRISTIE SMITH
Updated 9:18 AM PST, Tue, Nov 3, 2009
It's Election Day and cities across the Bay Area are asking voters to dig deep to recover funds lost from the state.
More than 25 tax measures are on local ballots from the East Bay to the South Bay.
Vallejo's Measure U is raising eyebrows because for some, it could amount to a tax on texting. It's a tongue-twister and a little complicated with plenty of opposition.
Vallejo filed for bankruptcy and city leaders say critical services need an infusion of money.
Vallejo is not alone in it's plea for money from voters. There are several other items are also on Bay Area ballots.
School district parcel tax votes: The recession created tough times for schools, and eight Bay Area districts are asking voters to tax themselves to fund education.
Emergency Services Taxes: Emergency services also took some hard hits the past couple of years. The following cities and communities asking residents to tax themselves to fund emergency city services. Most are property taxes but some are utility taxes.
Hotel Tax Hike: Increased tax on hotel users. It is another way for many local cities to go local in order to regain revenues lost over the past couple of years.
San Francisco's ballot is among the shortest this Election Day, but there are a few interesting items.
Candlestick Park Naming Rights: Voters will consider naming rights to the football stadium affectionately known as "The Stick." Also on the ballot -- Proposition D, which would allow advertising signs and billboards along Market Street between 5th and 7th streets.
Proposition E would prohibit increase in advertising signs on street furniture like bus shelters but also prohibits new signs on city-owned buildings.
Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. Vote-by-mail and provisional ballot can be dropped off at polling places before 8 p.m.
First Published: Nov 3, 2009 7:17 AM PST
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