Dear Editor,
This November, El Dorado County voters face Measure S, a countywide 0.375% sales tax hike. While proponents push this as a critical safety measure, the wildfire prevention claims are entirely hollow. Only a tiny fraction of the generated funds goes to non-profits, with absolutely zero mandates or guarantees that even a single acre of forest land will actually be treated for fuels reduction.

Beyond these misleading safety claims, Measure S acts as an unfair siphon that will extract vital capital from the Tahoe Basin to fund projects on the West Slope. Having served as an El Dorado County Supervisor between 1993 and 2001 representing the Meyers community, Christmas Valley, and North and South Upper Truckee, I know how critical it is to preserve fair county allocations.

Yet, under this measure’s strict formulas, a massive share of the revenue will benefit a private health system in Placerville. Because basin residents rely on local healthcare like Barton Memorial Hospital rather than traveling over the Sierra Nevada crest, their local tax dollars will effectively leave their community.

Furthermore, the City of South Lake Tahoe already shoulders a heavy sales tax burden. Piling another countywide tax on top pushes local rates to a restrictive high, hitting working families and starving the city of future “tax room” to pass its own localized infrastructure measures. This deep dissatisfaction is why local political leadership stands united: every candidate running for the three South Lake Tahoe City Council seats opposes Measure S.

Voters should demand transparent measures that actually protect our forests rather than a 30-year tax that raises the cost of living while draining Tahoe’s tax base. Please vote No on Measure S.

Sincerely,
Ray Nutting
Co-Chair, California Taxpayers Protection Committee