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Supervisors direct staff to explore state legislative options for local revenue as federal, state cuts loom
Summary
In response to possible large federal and state cuts to Medicaid and other safety‑net programs, the board directed staff to work with the county’s Sacramento delegation and stakeholders to identify state legislative paths that could allow new local revenue options to support county services.
Facing proposed federal and state reductions that staff warned could sharply reduce county funding for health and social services, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on June 17 directed the county executive’s office to work with the county’s Sacramento delegation and community partners to identify state legislative changes that would permit new local revenue options.
Supervisor Dave Cortese (President Lee introduced the item) framed the referral by noting the county’s limited taxing authority compared with charter cities: counties can levy only state‑authorized taxes, while cities that are chartered can adopt broader local tax options. Cortese said the county must explore changes that would allow the electorate to consider revenue measures — for example, a local income or wealth tax — to shore up essential services if deep federal and state cuts materialize.
Supervisor Charles Young moved and the board adopted a motion directing staff to work with the Sacramento delegation and a broad range of local stakeholders to identify and vet legislative options to create additional local revenue streams. The motion was broadened by board members to ask staff to return with a menu of viable options that could gain broad support.
Why it matters: County staff warned that proposed federal Medicaid changes could significantly reduce county and hospital financing; the board sought to avoid being unable even to ask voters whether they want local revenue to offset reductions.
What the board asked staff to do
- Work with the county’s Sacramento delegation and state partners to determine what state law changes would be required to allow new county revenue mechanisms, including but not limited to local income or wealth‑based levies. - Broaden outreach to cities, advocacy groups and community stakeholders and return with a list of viable revenue options, analysis of likely political feasibility, and recommended next steps for board consideration.
Ending
The board voted unanimously to authorize the described outreach and analysis. Supervisors emphasized that any option returned to the board would require further legal review, community engagement and ultimately voter approval for most tax measures.
