Vote YES to Needs, NO to Excess
CST’s Voter Guide for June 2, 2026 Local Tax Measures
Know the Facts Before You Vote!
Why Vote No:
Huge long-term subsidy props up empty 1-track diesel train to nowhere. Deep pocket special interests who benefit from SMART funded a “citizen initiative” to evade the usual, constitutionally-required 2/3 voter approval.
Cost:
SMART sales tax costs an estimated $150 per Marin household annually. At a projected 2%/year growth, that totals nearly $6,100 over 30 years. SMART has already absorbed $1.5-2 billion in public funding—and continues to require tens of millions per year in taxpayer support.”
CST’s Voter Guide Arguments Against
In 2020, concerned citizens’ groups in Sonoma and Marin Coun ties campaigned together to defeat Measure I, SMART’s attempt impose its existing $0.25 sales tax for 30 years. We won by 11 points. In doing so, we and our experts convinced voters that greenhouse gas emission savings were microscopic, relief from 101 traffic congestion was non-existent (and indeed worse in San Rafael), and ridership numbers and projections were suspect. Most importantly, the cost to taxpayers per-rider was prohibitive, more than $45 every time someone set foot on the train. That, and the billions needed to finish the line to Cloverdale, would be better spent on buses rather than a single-track, limited capacity diesel train.
So, what has changed in the last six years? Answer: They moved the goal posts. Special legislation was passed in Sacramento to allow this SMART tax measure to be put on the ballot as a “citizens’ initiative” that needs only 50%+1 voter approval. A charm offensive was then announced to juice up ridership numbers. Seniors and students now ride for free and comprise 42% of total ridership. Taxpayers are on the hook for all these “free rides” We calculate the subsidy-at $90 per round-trip, even with the freebies.
Then, the special interests kicked in, forming the SMART Initiative PAC. Major contributions were raised from unions, consultants, engineering firms and others. They contributed in some cases tens of thousands of dollars. Per recent filings, the PAC has raised over $850,000 and paid out almost $700,000 on professional signature gatherers and other campaign-related expenses. We believe millions more will be spent by interested parties during the campaign itself.
This “citizens” initiative is really just politics-as-usual charade. Who benefits? Not taxpayers.
We ask that you do your homework, understand the facts and vote NO on Measure B on June 2nd.
CST’s Voter Guide Rebuttal Argument
SMART’s proponents’ arguments raise more questions than they answer. They include:
It’s Just a Renewal: Yes, but it’s a renewal for 30 years; essentially a forever tax that will be paid by the next two generations. SMART will haul in $1.5 billion in local sales taxes before inflation. All this to keep afloat a single-track, limited capacity, dirty diesel train. There are many higher and better needs for the funds.
Seniors and Students Ride Free: Free riders comprise 43% of current passenger count, bolstering perceptions of SMART’s growth and popularity. These freebies expire in June, just after the election. Will they be extended for 30 years? There is no commitment on whether they will be extended at all—never mind over 30 years. Ridership will likely contract materially; a virtual certainty with the next recession.
Citizen Oversight Committee: This is false reassurance that polls well with voters. SMART’s committee is like every other COC, just another rubber stamp. We have served on multiple committees. No COC has the real ability to challenge management on any issue.
Taxpayer Subsidy: For the most frequent weekday riders taking five round trips: $390 of taxpayer paid rides. Too much.
Passenger Demographics: This ¼ -cent sales tax, like all sales taxes, is regressive. In SMART’s case, it’s even more egregious. Lower-income service workers who need door-to-door transportation must drive instead. They pay the freight but never take the ride. SMART is not even an afterthought in their lives or commute.
Vote no on Measure B.
Why We’re Neutral:
$148 increase and 3% inflator are modest. But KSD’s existing parcel & bond tax burden are extremely high.
Cost:
Measure C will start as CA’s 2nd highest school parcel tax: $1,990. By the final 10th year, it reaches $2,597 (up 8% vs. 2025/6) and costs in total $22,813.
Why Vote No:
This $44 million bond measure (could cost about $100 million with interest) is really a costly 30-year piggybank used primarily for maintenance. Future generations are stuck funding today’s everyday expenses.
Cost:
For a $1.5 million home, Measure D costs $360 in year 1, rising to $639 in year 30 and totaling nearly $15,000.
CST’s Voter Guide Arguments Against
Prioritize!
Marin faces a tax tsunami, with about TWENTY local measures on 2026 ballots. Spiking insurance, utilities, rent and living costs mean many people can’t afford this. Voters should prioritize. We recommend you be selective: Vote YES on 1-2 tax measures that are truly necessary, as affordable as possible, and can’t be lowered by reasonable economies.
Measure D doesn’t meet the necessity standard. There’s no designated purpose for nearly 2/3 of the money. Vote NO.
Measure D is a 30-year piggy bank. Only a bit over 1/3 of the borrowing goes to identified needs. The rest goes to maintaining facilities. Using long-term debt for upkeep passes the bill – with interest — to future generations. And it’s expensive: With interest, LCMSD taxpayers will pay $95,558,124 to fund $44,000,000 of work.
Marin’s Accelerating Affordability Crisis Hurts Everyone: Young adults who grew up locally can’t afford to live here. Lifelong residents are forced to move. We’re all losing friends and family to outmigration. Indiscriminately approving additional taxes makes matters worse for everyone – INCLUDING RENTERS who will see higher rent AND HOMEOWNERS, whose property values have stalled as home ownership costs surge.
There are NO Senior Exemptions.
Before you decide, consider BOTH June and likely November tax measures facing Larkspur Corte Madera School District residents:
- Larkspur Corte Madera School District: 30-year bond measure raising $44 million (costing $95.6 million with interest).
- Marin Healthcare District: NEW 30-year Parcel Tax
- Countywide Childcare Services: NEW Long-Term Parcel Tax per square foot
- Tamalpais Union High School District: Parcel Tax renewal
- SMART: 0.25% Sales Tax. Unusually long 30-Year term
Larkspur Corte Madera School District hasn’t shown it needs this much money.
VOTE NO on Measure D
CST’s Voter Guide Rebuttal Argument
LCMSD Doesn’t NEED this Much Money
Measure D creates a costly 30-year piggybank used primarily for maintenance. They plan to borrow $44 million, costing current and the next two generations of taxpayers nearly $100 million with interest. Almost 2/3 of the money doesn’t go to anything specific. The one compelling part of LCMSD’s proposal is $3 million of security fencing, which we all agree SHOULD be an important priority. That relatively modest amount should be funded from existing revenues. Alternatively, a much smaller bond, $10-15 million max, might be justified.
Taxpayers Aren’t Getting the Break They Deserve
Old LCMSD bonds that funded major projects are maturing. That should lower your tax bill. Instead of letting that amount of tax “get away”, LCMSD conceived Measure D: it borrows exactly the amount of money that keeps your tax bill from falling. Measure D lacks the detailed project list common for school bonds, specifying needs and associated costs. In fact, their amorphous list of uses totals only $15,000,000. This contrasts with LCMSD’s previous bond measure, featuring a $40 million project list including construction of Cove School.
Using Bonds to Fund Maintenance is Bad Policy
Defunding maintenance and using bonds to fund repairs and upkeep is an unfortunate development. Bonds are meant to fund long-lived assets, like buildings, that last longer than the 30-year borrowing period. Maintenance SHOULD be funded with your basic property taxes and parcel taxes so the costs of current upkeep aren’t shifted to future generations via 30-year debt.
Vote NO.
Why Vote No:
This 5% COLA is extremely high & dramatically raises the total cost of this measure. Mill Valley voters are looking at SIX taxes on this year’s ballots. The current MVSD school parcel tax doesn’t expire until 2029. MVSD has plenty of time to get it right.
Cost:
Measure E will result in a $1,754 tax in 2026/7, increasing to $2,468 in year 8 (a 71% increase), with an 8-year total cost of $16,749, surpassing Kentfield as the highest school parcel tax in Marin and likely 2nd highest in CA. The 5% escalator (well above the 3% norm), costs taxpayers more than $1,100 extra over the life of the tax.
CST’s Voter Guide Arguments Against
TOO MUCH!
Voters face an accelerating tax tsunami: about TWENTY local measures on 2026 Marin ballots. With spiking insurance, utilities, rent and living costs, many people can’t afford this. Voters should prioritize. Vote YES on 1-2 tax measures that are truly necessary, as affordable as possible, and can’t be lowered by reasonable economies.
Mill Valley School District Measure E parcel tax doesn’t meet our affordability standard. Increasing 70% in just 8 years – to $2,468 from this year’s $1,448. Vote NO.
Accelerating Unaffordability Hurts Everyone: Young adults who grew up in Mill Valley can’t afford to live here. Others can’t afford to stay. Approving every tax makes matters worse for everyone – INCLUDING RENTERS to whom tax increases are passed along and SENIORS who lose precious friends and family to unaffordability.
Why Now?
- Taxes Suddenly Much Easier to pass: A new workaround lowering the passage hurdle to 50%+1 from the usual 2/3 enables MANY more – and less popular — tax proposals to pass.
- Flattening property values (reflecting unaffordability) depress local tax revenues
- Unfunded Promises: Schools and cities keep pledging salary and pension hikes greater than they can afford – driving the “need” for more taxes.
Be Selective!
Before you decide, consider ALL SIX June and likely November tax measures Mill Valley residents face:
- Mill Valley School District: Parcel Tax starts at $1,754 (up $234). Inflating an unusually high 5%/year, Measure E becomes Marin’s most costly school parcel tax in 2034.
- Marin Healthcare District NEW 30-year Parcel Tax (November) $0.14 per building square foot
- Countywide Childcare Services (November) NEW Long-Term Parcel Tax per square foot.
- Tamalpais Union High School District Parcel Tax (November)
- Mill Valley Municipal Services Tax (November)
- SMART (June) 30-Year sales tax
Mill Valley School District should try again. Develop a balanced proposal with a more sustainable 3% inflator that the broad community will embrace.
Choose Thoughtfully. Vote NO.
CST’s Voter Guide Rebuttal Argument
Boil the Frog Slowly: You End Up Cooked
Our overarching concern with Mill Valley School District’s Measure E is that this parcel tax grows 5% annually, significantly faster than most people’s income. Measure E’s 5% inflator exceeds almost every other Marin school district, most of which are at 3%. Mill Valley School District’s Measure E becomes increasingly unaffordable over time and adds up to a very large 8-year sum: $16,749.
5% vs. 3%: The Difference Adds Up
Like the proverbial boiling frog, a too-high inflator might not be painful at first. Ultimately, you’ll really feel the heat. A 5% annual escalator increases the tax MUCH faster than 3%. Over 8 years, the difference results in nearly $1,150 more per parcel.
Proponents’ Unfortunate Threat
We have generally found Mill Valley School District leadership to be very responsive and forthcoming. So we were disappointed to find that Measure E’s Argument in Favor prominently featured an alarmist threat: if the current tax is not renewed, MVSD will lose $12.7 million annually, causing teacher layoffs, program cuts, etc. Their argument failed to mention that the current tax continues through June 2029. Before then, there are FOUR major election dates, providing FOUR chances to pass a renewal. There’s negligible chance the current parcel tax will lapse.
With Mill Valley taxpayers facing SIX 2026 local tax measures, many voters need to budget their “Yes” votes.
VOTE NO on Measure E so Mill Valley School District can return with a parcel tax measure that grows a more reasonable 3% annually.
Why Vote Yes:
Necessary & affordable. This $249 supplement to the existing $251 parcel tax (both of which have no inflator) bolsters educational resources and fiscal stability in a district with the county’s lowest per student funding. At $500 in total per annum, this is still a very affordable way to provide essential community support to local schools.
Cost:
Together with the existing parcel tax, Measure G raises NUSD’s parcel tax to $500 in year 1 and costs $4,000 over 8 years.
CST’s endorsement language:
The Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers endorses Novato Unified School District Measure G as necessary and affordable. This $249 supplement to the existing $251 parcel tax (both of which have no inflator) bolsters vital educational resources and fiscal stability in a district with the county’s lowest per student funding.
Why Vote No:
Voters rejected RVSD’s 2025 parcel tax hike. Instead of addressing affordability concerns, they’ve come back with a demand for even MORE! November is an opportunity for RVSD to finally get it right with a compromise tax proposal.
Cost:
Measure H will result in a tax of $1,282 in 2026/7, up 72% from the current $742. A 10-year tax with 3% inflators, it reaches $1,673 in 2035/6. Over ten years, it will cost $14,697 per parcel.
CST’s Voter Guide Arguments Against
Measure H is a nearly $1,300 tax – adding $540 (+73%).
Marin County voters face an accelerating tax tsunami against an uncertain economic backdrop. Taxpayers AND districts will ultimately need to prioritize. We recommend being selective. Vote YES on 1-2 tax measures that are truly necessary, can’t be lowered by reasonable economies, and are as affordable as possible.
Measure H doesn’t meet that standard.
The owner of a typical-sized home will pay considerably MORE for Measure H than for the Measure E parcel tax hike that voters rejected in May 2025.
RVSD isn’t listening.
Ross Valley School District’s board CHOSE a highly risky path. Instead of prudently trimming their tax proposal after voters rejected Measure E, they’re asking for MUCH MORE on this retry.
Accelerating Unaffordability Hurts Everyone: Young adults who grew up in Fairfax can’t afford to live here. Others can’t afford to stay. RENTS increase as higher taxes are passed through to renters. SENIORS lose friends and family to outmigration.
Besides Measure H, Ross Valley School District residents face 4-5 2026 local tax measures:
- MarinHealth 30-year measure raising a typical Ross Valley property tax bill $280
- Marin County Childcare tax proposal similar to MarinHealth’s
- Tamalpais Union High School District parcel tax
- Fairfax’s Measure J FOREVER sales tax hike – adds an estimated $100 per household
- SMART – 30-year sales tax
Responsible alternative ignored – To ensure voter support for its parcel tax renewal, RVSD should have proposed a more moderate tax increase and pledged not to award highly paid administrators the large compensation increases planned for teaching staff. Monetizing nonessential properties – e.g., district headquarters — could reduce the need to raise taxes.
This prudent, affordable proposal remains an option if Ross Valley School District returns in November with a proposal better suited to the WHOLE community.
We encourage you to reject Measure H.
COALITION OF SENSIBLE TAXPAYERS
VALERIE HOOD
Retired Teacher
PASCAL SISICH
Former Planning Commissioner; Tax Oversight Committee Member
DEBORAH BENSON
Accounting Professional
MARK BELL
+40-year resident
CST’s Voter Guide Rebuttal Argument
Excessive Tax Demand = Self-Created Crisis
Polling, community surveys, and voters’ rejection of Ross Valley School District’s 2025 Measure E sent a clear message: voters don’t have the financial appetite for a tax that’s so big.
Concerned about a temporary revenue contraction when RVSD’s current parcel tax expires in June, we urged placing a “certain to pass” renewal measure on the June ballot, i.e., one with a moderate increase. Trustees instead bid each other up to a very high “ask” (a $540 increase to nearly $1,300 per parcel) while threatening school closures if voters refuse.
A Compromise Should Include Belt-Tightening that Doesn’t Hurt Students:
- Stop awarding high paid administrators “Me too” increases. Ross Valley School District says no parcel tax revenue will go to administrators. That’s misleading. A tax increase awarding teachers much higher pay frees up general fund money for the usual identical percentage increases for all administrators.
- Implement cost cuts not directly impacting students, several of which are already listed on Ross Valley School District’s plan for what they’ll do if Measure H fails.
- Monetize RVSD’s District Office Building, just like Kentfield School District did. Closing it never makes the list of ways to improve Ross Valley School District’s finances. There’s ample room for management in the below-capacity schools RVSD threatens to close.
The Road Not Taken is Still There
The NOVEMBER 2026 election provides another opportunity for Ross Valley School District to do the right thing: propose a reasonable parcel tax renewal measure and fiscal adjustments that appropriately address both educational needs and residents’ ability to pay.
VOTE NO.
GEORGE JACKSON
School Fundraising
DENYCE VOLGER-CODONI
Retired VP Marsh McLennan Insurance
A. SEAN AGUILAR
Real Estate Asset Manager
JEFF WELLS
31-year San Anselmo Resident
RICHARD BARHAM
25-Year San Anselmo Resident
Why We’re Neutral:
After endorsing SMCSD’s 2024 parcel tax measure, we’re neutral on this additional $12.5 million bond (costing $25.8 million with interest) for renovating the athletic field and recreational area. The community benefits near-term but future generations foot the bill for investments that may not last so long. You decide.
Cost:
For a $1.5 million assessed value, property owners will pay $120 in year one, increasing to $213 in year 30, resulting in a total cost of almost $5,000.
Why Vote No:
This is a FOREVER tax that can be spent on ANYTHING by town leadership that can’t be trusted to act prudently. To sneak this tax onto the June ballot, Fairfax declared a nonexistent fiscal emergency; violated Brown Act Transparency laws multiple times; and crafted grossly misleading ballot arguments.
Cost:
Measure J (which raises the sales tax another 0.25% to 9.25%) incrementally adds about $100/household annually to Fairfax residents’ sales tax outlay. Assuming 2%/year spending growth, the additional 0.25% sales tax increase alone totals over $4,000/household over 30 years … and an incalculably large amount over the “FOREVER” period of this tax.
CST’s Voter Guide Arguments Against
Sneaky. Unaffordable. Forever.
Measure J is Marin’s sneakiest tax ever. It aggravates residents’ unaffordability crisis. Vote NO.
Tax exhausted Fairfax residents face SIX likely 2026 local tax measures:
- $1,280 Ross Valley School District parcel tax ($540 increase);
- MarinHealth 30-year measure raising a typical Fairfax property tax bill $250-300
- Marin County Childcare tax – proposal like MarinHealth’s
- 30-year SMART sales tax renewal
- Tamalpais Union High School District tax renewal
- Measure J adds about $100 per household.
Accelerating Unaffordability Hurts Everyone: Young adults who grew up in Fairfax can’t afford to live here. Others can’t afford to stay. Measure J hurts many people – INCLUDING RENTERS whose rents increase and SENIORS who lose friends and family to outmigration.
Measure J Evades Accountability. Lacking the required 2/3 voter support for a special tax measure for road upkeep, Fairfax developed a GENERAL tax measure with no sunset – raising the sales tax 0.25% to 9.25% FOREVER. A general tax requires only majority approval and can be spent on ANYTHING.
Grossly Non Transparent Non Emergency. TWO agendized, public meetings – each including public input and majority VOTES by council – are required to put a general tax on the ballot. Instead Council held a special, non-videoed, “retreat” where they discussed a non- agendized tax measure proposal and agreed to proceed WITHOUT public comment. They claim it wasn’t a “vote.” With election deadlines approaching, Council evaded the two-meeting transparency requirements by declaring a FISCAL EMERGENCY and UNANIMOUSLY approving putting Measure J on the ballot. Fairfax admits NO emergency currently exists.
Crying wolf. Fairfax says if they don’t preemptively take another 0.25% sales tax from Fairfax residents – thus reaching the 9.25% legal limit – the county will grab it. It’s a phony threat. Limits are routinely raised.
VOTE NO! Fairfax should retry a sales tax measure in November using a transparent, honest process and ensuring accountability via a 10-year sunset.
DOUG KELLY
Director, Coalition for Sensible Taxpayers
STEPHEN KEESE
Former Marin Civil Grand Jury Member
DEBORAH BENSON
Accounting Professional
MICHAEL SEXTON
25-Year Fairfax Resident
LEW TREAMAINE
Former Mayor
CST’s Voter Guide Rebuttal Argument
Measure J further increases your sales tax to 9.25% on EVERY taxable transaction. It’s a FOREVER tax, intended as impossible to repeal. The money goes into the general fund. It can be spent on almost ANYTHING without future voter approval. VOTE NO.
Proponents rely on half-truths and empty threats.
- CLAIM: “Fairfax has taken responsible steps to control costs”
- FACT: They’ve added costly administrative positions, consultants, and legal expense while roads remain Marin’s worst.
- CLAIM: Fairfax loses 7% of its budget if Measure J fails.
- FACT: No funds are lost if Fairfax passes a better sales tax renewal measure in November.
- CLAIM: Fairfax must raise its sales tax 0.25% to California’s 9.25% limit, or else “the county” will grab that additional amount for itself.
- FACT: This is just a flimsy excuse for another tax hike. No Marin or regional agency has the authority to surgically target Fairfax’s sales tax.
- CLAIM: Voters can repeal Measure J whenever they want.
- FACT: It’s prohibitively expensive and labor intensive.
- CLAIM: Fairfax has a fiscal emergency enabling Measure J to be on a low turnout June ballot.
- FACT: There is NO emergency. Latest audit showed positive surprises.
Fairfax already has Marin’s HIGHEST property tax as a percentage of assessed value, overburdening ordinary citizens. Now they want the highest sales tax rate too.
Don’t trust Fairfax with a 9.25% sales tax for “general purposes” FOREVER.
Fairfax should belt tighten and build support for a straight 10-year sales tax renewal in November
VOTE NO!
SUSAN A. BRANDBORG
Former Mayor
MIKE GHIRINGHELLI
Town Councilmember
AUGUST VENEZIA
President Fairfax Lumber & Hardware
A. SEAN AGUILAR
Real Estate Asset Manager
MARK BELL
40+ Year Resident
Why Vote Yes:
Continuation of this library tax at $74.18 with a 3% inflator maintains safe places for young people, funds literacy programs, and provides a space for the whole community.
Cost:
Over 9 years the cost/parcel total totals an estimated $754.
CST was a signer to the Argument in Favor of Measure K
Why Vote Yes:
Necessary and affordable. This tiny district needs additional funding for their volunteer fire department and emergency preparedness. They deserve your support.
Cost:
Starting at $386 (up from the current $286) the tax reaches $503 in year 10 and totals $4,425 over that period if the Bay Area CPI inflator is 3%.
CST’s endorsement language:
Marin’s Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers supports Measure M because it enhances public safety, is affordable, and protects taxpayers with a reasonable sunset date and CPI-based limits on annual increases.
Why We’re Neutral:
CST did not independently evaluate the merits.
Cost:
Measure L doubles the tax immediately from $75 currently to $150 annually. With a 3% escalator, total 4-year cost would be $628.