What will the future of Modesto look like?
Some urban cities across our state have become synonymous with blight and increased crime.
We want Modesto to be a city we can take pride in.
We want cleaner and safer streets and sidewalks; well-maintained parks, trees, and riverways; and quicker emergency response times.
We all see the need around us every day — increased homelessness, overgrown trees, theft, blight and on and on.
Historically, Modesto has not gotten its fair share of state and federal resources to address these issues.
Measure H will give us a local source of revenue to improve the quality of life for all Modestans.
Just 15 years ago, Modesto employed 287 public safety officers and met the state average of 1.3 officers for every 1000 residents. Today, our revenues haven’t kept up with inflation and we have only 210 officers — just 0.9 per 1000 residents — an over 25% reduction.
We want a better community for our families, our children, and our grandchildren.
We also want transparency and accountability. Measure H mandates the creation of a community oversight committee that will review and publicly disclose how every dollar is spent to ensure it meets its objectives.
The current sales tax rate in Modesto is 7.875%. Only 1% goes to the City. Our current rate is lower than Ceres, Turlock, and Oakdale.
Measure H increases the sales tax by 1 cent but does not tax food or medication.
Vote YES on H to:
Provide quicker response times to emergencies, including drug-related crimes
Support neighborhood police patrols, crime prevention, fire protection, and paramedics
Reduce homelessness
Keep parks and public areas clear of trash and litter