SAN DIEGO (FOX 5\/KUSI) \u2014\u00a0A measure that would increase San Diego County\u2019s sales tax rate by a half-cent will appear before voters again this fall.<\/p>\n
The Registrar of Voters has confirmed more than 100,000 signatures have been collected and verified, meeting the threshold to put the measure on the November ballot.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s shaping up to be one of the county\u2019s most closely watched ballot measures and already generating strong opinions.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy position is about wages, working conditions, and benefits to our firefighters, and if it\u2019s going to bring us money to increase that, that\u2019s my voice for the 1,100 members that I serve,\u201d said Billy Tomasello, Vice President for Cal Fire Local 2881\u2019s 10th district.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s one of several unions and advocacy groups backing the measure \u2013 known as the \u201cProtect San Diego\u2019s Health and Safety Act<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Those in favor argue that raising the county\u2019s sales tax rate from 7.75% to 8.25% would generate more than $350 million a year.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the last thing that San Diego residents need is another sales tax increase, and this one goes on forever,\u201d said County Board Supervisor and congressional candidate Jim Desmond.<\/p>\n Early voting picks up across San Diego County ahead of June 2 primary election <\/a><\/p>\n He is among those who oppose the initiative. \u201cWe\u2019ve got people that are leaving because they can\u2019t afford to live here. Young people, you know, leaving and not being able to afford a house or raise a family. We need to be lowering the cost and making San Diego County affordable,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n Supporters point out that if passed, the measure would also offset federal cuts to healthcare and social programs and help fund efforts to address the Tijuana River crisis.<\/p>\n \u201cTijuana River issue that, quite frankly, that needs to be dealt with by the federal government,\u201d said Desmond.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Tomasello said the county is doing a good job funding public safety, but more funding would help increase staffing, resources, equipment, and improve infrastructure.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have facilities that our firefighters are in that are built in the \u201960s and the \u201970s. There\u2019s asbestos in there. There\u2019s diesel fuel in there. They\u2019re all related to cancer. They\u2019re exposed to it 24 hours a day,\u201d said Tomasello.<\/p>\n