By Denise P. Kalm
Local government exists to provide the services we all require: fire, police, sanitation, water, etc. Next might be desirable things like libraries, recreation, parks and more. When there is an ongoing, meaningful surplus, only then should you consider the “nice to have, but not necessary.” But even though government finances in Northen California are tight, Contra Costa County supervisors are implementing wasteful new programs.
One example is the County’s new Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ) focusing on expanding equity, access and inclusion for county residents, which means transferring resources to alleged “victims.” These are not the people that we have traditionally thought of as needing public assistance, such as the blind, deaf, paralyzed or otherwise physically or mentally challenged in competing with those who do not face such limits.
No, this office intends to assist individuals based on their race, ethnicity, gender identification, immigration status, etc. The FY 2024-2025 budget for ORESJ is $8,790,240 (see page 203). It has two well-compensated co-directors, and they are planning to fill four more positions during the fiscal year.
Sadly, we voted “yes” on Measure X, agreeing to tax ourselves more to benefit our way of life in Contra Costa. Here is the ballot summary: does the ORESJ in any way conform to this language? Is this another “bait and switch” by our government?
Here was the proposition:
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A “yes” vote supported authorizing an additional sales tax of 0.5% for 20 years generating an estimated $81 million per year for essential services including the regional hospital, community health centers, emergency response, safety-net services, early childhood services and protection of vulnerable populations, thereby increasing the total sales tax rate in Contra Costa County from 8.25% to 8.75%. |
A “no” vote opposed authorizing an additional sales tax of 0.5% for 20 years generating an estimated $81 million per year for essential services including the regional hospital, community health centers, emergency response, safety-net services, early childhood services and protection of vulnerable populations, thereby leaving the existing total sales tax rate in Contra Costa County at 8.25%. |
The Sources
The ORESJ will receive $600,000 in funding from the countywide Measure X sales tax increase in its first fiscal year and $1.2 million in fiscal year 2023-24. “Measure X funds are for general purposes, and the Board of Supervisors directs how the funds should be used. The Measure X sales tax is half of one percent (0.5%) on taxable purchases. Most groceries are exempt from sales tax. Prescription drugs and certain medical devices are also exempt.” Read that closely – general purposes. Instead of providing us more access to health care, safety-nets for people in harm’s way, childhood services and protection of those who are vulnerable (I took this to mean poor seniors and veterans on the streets), they want to put a sizable amount to this ridiculous Office. What is racial equity? What is social justice? We know the answer; those who proclaim themselves as victims, not necessarily actual victims. This was the BIG LIE.
ORESJ turns out to have a total allocation of $11.73MM. Is this really the best use of our funds, money that should benefit a majority of the citizens of Contra Costa? It’s DEI initiative that should be quashed. The problem is that most people didn’t really understand what the measure was for.
Non-Profits also contributed: The nonprofit San Francisco Foundation will provide the biggest donation of $75,000 to help launch the formation of the new office. Other organizations providing funding are the Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation, $20,000; East Bay Community Foundation, $10,000; John Muir Community Benefits, $10,000; Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation, $25,000; Public Health Advocates, $25,000; Republic Services, $25,000; Richmond Community Foundation, $5,000: The California Endowment, $25,000 and Y&H Soda Foundation, $25,000.
The office will be funded with “$250,000 through the philanthropic San Francisco Foundation that will pay for work to assemble the new equity office, separate from county budgets.
ORESJ is at best a questionable use of scarce taxpayer funds and County Supervisors should reconsider this program. And perhaps we should consider an initiative to end Measure X, as the money is being wasted. This is just one example. There are probably more.
Denise P. Kalm, BCC - MS in Biochemical Genetics, Coaching Certificate (life and career), writer, speaker with 30+ years in IT.