Opposition Is Gaining on Measure R in Malibu

• School Seeks Parcel Tax in Perpetuity

BY BILL KOENEKER

It is just weeks away, but many if not most Malibu voters are little aware of a parcel tax being sought by the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District on the Feb. 5 presidential primary election ballot.
Measure R, if enacted by the voters, will in effect continue a current property tax about to sunset, but would earmark $346 per year for SMMUSD.
Because of the power politics currently being played out between Santa Monica and Malibu contingents of parents and community leaders, there is expected to be opposition to the ballot from the usual supporters of school funding.
Malibu Councilmember Andy Stern said he is “absolutely” opposed to Measure R.
Stern said his objections stem from what happened to the monies originally earmarked for Malibu from Measure BB that were at the last minute “ripped off,” by the board. “I do not trust this board. Why would anyone vote more money to a board that does not keep its promises? If it passes, they will pay less attention to Malibu. If it fails, they will start to pay attention to Malibu and give us our fair share,” he said. “I had asked the board to not put it on the ballot until we reach consensus on the other issues on BB.”
Stern said he thought it interesting that none of the RR proponents had come to the city council for endorsement.
“I told them if you come and ask for our support, you will hear from me,” said Stern.
Malibu Mayor Jeff Jennings had a different take. “I support it. Period,” said Jennings, who added he thought opposition to the measure would be harmful. “I separate the board issues,” said Jennings, who indicated that in the last 15 years that he has been involved in school district politics there has always been this give and take. “We usually get our fair share of the money. I think that is what will happen,” the mayor added.
That opposition could become critical, since Measure R needs a two-thirds majority of those voting in order to pass.
Malibu parent Laura Rosenthal, who is helping spearhead an effort to see if Malibu can separate from the school district (see separate story) is opposed to Measure R.
When asked if she will actively campaign against the tax, Rosenthal said she was going to write letters and talk to everyone about her opposition.
“We currently have two parcel taxes (Y & S) running concurrently. Measure Y runs through 2011 and Measure S goes through 2009. Measure R combines those two parcel taxes into one tax, in perpetuity,” said Rosenthal, who noted her objection is that she does not trust the board and school district administration to do what “is right and fair for the Malibu community.”
Rosenthal said she does not want to give the district any more money until an effort is made that they have a true interest in what Malibu schools need.
“This is our only chance to flex our muscles and show the board that it must listen to our needs. If R passes, there is no political reason for the board to ever listen to us again. Personally, I am a proponent of parcel taxes. Just not this parcel tax,” she added.
Rosenthal said that Malibu pays about 32 percent of the current parcel taxes and gets back about 20 percent.
Measure R supporters contend the funding is needed because when the voters approved Measure BB in November 2006, that was a bond measure that can only be used for capital improvements.
Funds from Measure R can go directly into classrooms for program and staffing.
Measure R proponents insist it is not a new tax since it is a measure that would renew an existing parcel tax.
Seniors will be exempted from the tax but will have to fill out forms every year.