The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association filed a petition last Tuesday challenging Measure EE, requesting that a judge halt the June 4 election. If passed, Measure EE would create a new 16 cents per square foot parcel tax for building improvements within the Los Angeles Unified School District.
On Thursday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mary H. Strobel announced she will consider the petition during a hearing planned for June 6, two days after the vote. Then, she will rule on whether to allow the L.A. County Registrar to certify the results of the vote or not.
“The court indicates it will not consider the proposed remedy of ordering the Registrar not to count votes,” stated a minute order written by Strobel’s clerk. “It will consider only the proposed remedy of ordering the Registrar not to certify the results of the election.”
According to the Los Angeles Daily News, the original ballot approved by LAUSD board members in February stated that any "habitable" area would be fair to tax. But in March, that language was amended by Superintendent Austin Beutner to farily tax "all buildings or structures" on a property.
Is the school district just trying to bring in more money? According to district officials, the tax would raise about $500 million each year, for 12 years. Don't forget, the teachers' strike earlier this year brought new salary agreements that must be covered as well.