Measure HH - City of Berkeley General Tax Ordinance Measure

Summary

A “YES” vote on Measure HH is a vote in favor to authorize the City of Berkeley to eliminate the Utility User Tax on gas and electricity for the nearly 5,000 lowincome Berkeley residents who enroll in California’s CARE or FERA programs and increase the natural gas and electric portion of the utility users’ tax by 2.5%

A “NO” vote on Measure HH is a vote in opposition to authorize the City of Berkeley to eliminate the Utility User Tax on gas and electricity for the nearly 5,000 lowincome Berkeley residents who enroll in California’s CARE or FERA programs and increase the natural gas and electric portion of the utility users’ tax by 2.5%.

Arguments

"Voting YES on Measure HH will speed up reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while reducing energy costs for thousands of Berkeley residents and kickstarting a green economic recovery... Measure HH could fund projects and programs that: Transition existing buildings to clean electricity; Expand clean transportation alternatives such as shared electric vehicles, and bicycle and pedestrian improvements; and Implement energy efficiency and resiliency measures for homes and businesses.", in support of Measure HH (Learn more)

"The Fund would prioritize equity and environmental justice by ensuring that low-income families, seniors, renters, and small businesses hit hardest by the pandemic realize lower energy costs and benefit from the green economy... Measure HH would create a panel of energy, equity, and climate experts to advise the City Council on how to make equitable and effective climate action investments. The measure also gives the Council the authority to later charge different tax rates on electricity and gas to promote clean energy." , in support of Measure HH (Learn more)

"Due to COVID, many people have lost their jobs or businesses, and we are all unsure of the future. This is a terrible time to add over $4million of TAXES that ALL citizens must pay. Many of us are struggling to make our next mortgage or rental payment. Asking us to pay EVEN MORE in taxes is BAD." , in opposition to Measure HH (Learn more)

"This tax revenue will be placed in the General Fund and can be spent on ANYTHING. MAYBE the Council will vote to spend this tax on ‘greenhouse programs’ and maybe NOT. MAYBE on ‘air pollution’ and MAYBE NOT. Maybe for a year or two and maybe not. The City of Berkeley has a BAD Pension deficit problem. This Tax promises public services that will instead be diverted to Berkeley’s ever-growing Pension. These funds will just disappear in the General Fund to be forgotten by the public.", in opposition to Measure HH (Learn more)

"The DECEPTIVE implication of this TAX is that this new increased tax is ‘modern’ and therefore GOOD. This argument suggests that the existing, lower utility tax is ‘old fashion’ and needs to be modernized into a new higher tax. Your opportunity to pay 30% more for the same utilities! Buried in the fine print is a provision that allows the Berkeley City Council to increase the tax rate on natural gas ANOTHER 2.5% to 12.5% total rate for natural gas.", in opposition to Measure HH (Learn more)

Measure Details