Vote NO to Excess, YES to Needs
NO on Countywide Childcare Tax & San Rafael Property Transfer Tax
YES on Renewals of Ross Valley Paramedic & Mill Valley Municipal Services Taxes
YES on State Propositions 43, 41, 42
NO on State Propositions 1, 4, 37, 39 & 40
CST’s Voter Guide for November 3, 2026 Local Tax Measures
(See State Propositions below)
Know the Facts Before You Vote!
Why Vote No:
This 15-year blank check, a $0.04/square foot parcel tax, will push Marin families’ childcare costs higher while subsidizing non-residents. Signature collection funded by special interests outside Marin lowered the approval hurdle to 50%+1.
Cost:
This measure would add a new tax of $.05 per square foot of buildings up to 100,000 square feet, i.e., giving a break to larger commercial and multi-family properties. For a 1,500 square foot building, the initial tax would be $75; over the 15-year life of the tax, your cost will be $1,125. For a 2,500 square foot building, the initial tax would be $125, or $1,875 over 15 years.
However, those numbers assume the tax rate stays flat over the 15 years; the ballot language allows for “optional annual inflation adjustments.” If the rate increases by 3% per year, the 1,500 square foot house will have a final year tax of $113 and a 15-year total of $1,395, while the 2,500 square foot building will have a final year tax of $189, and a 15-year total of $2,325.
While residential and commercial tenants do not pay this tax directly, the property owner may pass the tax along to the extent permitted by market conditions and any rent control statutes.
Why Vote No:
Quintuples an existing forever tax. The City rushed this tax to the ballot without building consensus or justifying such a big tax that can be spent on pretty much anything.
Cost:
This measure would quintuple the existing city transfer tax from .2% to 1.0% of the sale price. The sale of a $1 million property currently generates a $2,000 transfer tax; the new tax amount would be $10,000, or $8,000 higher. For a $2 million property sale, the current $4,000 transfer tax would increase by $16,000, up to a new amount of $20,000.
While the tax will be collected upon sale, it remains to be seen to what extent it may be divided between buyer and seller as part of the contract negotiation.
Brief Description:
There is a separate ballot item for each jurisdiction with the Ross Valley Paramedics District, hence the multiple entries for the same tax. Each jurisdiction will only see the appropriate ballot measure for their area.
Why Vote Yes:
Funds a very important service with a simple renewal. There is a modest one-time catchup for Larkspur and Corte Madera.
Cost:
For seven of the jurisdictions covered by this measure, this four-year tax includes a $4.00 annual increase from the existing rate of $103.50 per year. So, the 2027-2028 tax would be $107.50, increasing to $119.50 in 2030-2031. The four-year total is $454.50.
For Corte Madera (Measure Q), the current tax is $87.00 per year; the proposal is for $94.50 in 2027-2028, growing by $7.75 per year, so the 2030-2031 rate would be $117.75. The four-year total is $424.50.
While residential and commercial tenants do not pay this tax directly, the property owner may pass the tax along to the extent permitted by market conditions and any rent control statutes.
Why Vote Yes:
Straightforward renewal of an existing tax with a 2% inflator and a 10-year sunset clause. Fiscally prudent Mill Valley earned our trust.
Cost:
This existing parcel tax would be extended for ten years, increasing 2% annually. The initial cost is $303 per year per parcel; 2% annual increases bring the final year tax to $362.10. The ten-year total is $3,317.70.
While residential and commercial tenants do not pay this tax directly, the property owner may pass the tax along to the extent permitted by market conditions and any rent control statutes.
Brief Description:
A parcel tax with a 30-year sunset clause that assesses $0.15/building square foot. It is a Marin County-wide tax except Novato. It was placed on the ballot by a Citizen’s Initiative needing only 50%+1 approval.
Why We’re Neutral:
Funds important facility and medical technology upgrades. A problematic signature-gathering process and loose working temper our enthusiasm.
Cost:
This parcel tax is driven by the size of all buildings, with no cap. At $.14 annually per square foot per year, the tax on a typical 1,500 square foot building would be $210 per year, or $6,300 over the 30-year life of this tax. A larger building of 2,500 square feet would pay $350 per year, or $10,500 over 30 years. An even larger building of 3,500 square feet would be at $490 per year, and $14,700 over 30 years. Large multifamily and commercial buildings are all taxed proportionally to their size (unless tax exempt).
While residential and commercial tenants do not pay this tax directly, the property owner may pass the tax along to the extent permitted by market conditions and any rent control statutes.
Why We’re Neutral:
We disapprove using 30-year bonds for deferred maintenance. But MCSD isn’t well funded and its facilities are aging.
Cost:
This measure would raise $67 million in bonds, paid for by a property tax of $28 per $100,000 of assessed value. This applies to ALL properties, including residential and commercial. The tax on a property assessed at $1,000,000 will be approximately $280 per year; over 30 years, this will come to $8,400. If the assessed value is $1,500,000, the annual tax will be $420, with a 30-year total of $12,600. And a property with a $2,000,000 assessed value will have an annual tax of $560, with a 30-year total of $16,800.
While residential and commercial tenants do not pay this tax directly, the property owner may pass the tax along to the extent permitted by market conditions and any rent control statutes.
Why We’re Neutral:
We don’t like funding deferred maintenance with 30-year bonds. But residents want facility upgrades.
Cost:
This measure would raise $115 million in bonds, paid for by a property tax of $30 per $100,000 of assessed value. If a property is assessed at $1,000,000, the annual tax will be approximately $300 per year; over 30 years, this will come to $9,000. If the assessed value is $2,000,000, the annual tax will be $600, or $18,000 over 30 years. And a property with a $3,000,000 assessed value will have an annual tax of $900, with a 30-year total of $27,000.
While residential and commercial tenants do not pay this tax directly, the property owner may pass the tax along to the extent permitted by market conditions and any rent control statutes.
CST’s Voter Guide for November 3, 2026 State Propositions
Know the Facts Before You Vote!
Why Vote Yes:
Closes the loophole that makes passing taxes easier. To stop future tax tsunamis, vote YES ON 43!
Why Vote Yes:
All spending paid for by new special taxes SHOULD be audited.
Why Vote Yes:
Bans new state taxes on retirement savings, homes and more.
Why We’re Neutral:
While California’s already highest-in-nation top tax rates are driving out high earners, failing to extend them will slash school funding.
Why Vote No:
Adds $500-$600 million /year in General Fund interest expense for 25 years without lowering the cost of housing.
Why Vote No:
Taxpayer money should go to schools, roads and other key priorities, NOT political candidates.
Why Vote No:
California would get into the mortgage business? What could go wrong?
Why Vote No:
A huge expenditure to fix something that’s not a problem.
Why Vote No:
This tax will ultimately lower state revenue due to taxpayer flight and cripple CA’s tech industry leadership and economic vitality.