So much for ‘affordability’: LA voters raise their own taxes, again
LA voters raise sales taxes on themselves
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Skip to main content OpinionSo much for ‘affordability’: LA voters raise their own taxes, again
By CA Post Editorial Board Published June 29, 2026, 6:53 a.m. ETSee more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The California Post on GoogleIt was the year of “affordability.” Or so we thought.
Earlier this month, LA County voters chose to pass Measure ER, a 0.5% sales tax increase that ostensibly will last for five years and will apply to almost everything you buy.
So… congratulations, you’ll now pay more?
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The Board of Supervisors put Measure ER on the ballot and said the money was needed to fund local healthcare services.
They named it “ER,” after “Emergency Room.”
They gave an official title that didn’t mention taxes: “Essential Services Restoration Act.”
The description provided by the county clerk blamed “severe federal cuts enacted by the President and Congress.”
Actually, as Marc Joffe explained to The California Post, there are no “cuts.” The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” just slows the rate of growth in spending. And it adds a requirement that people who receive benefits also work or volunteer, if they are able.
But there’s no restraint on the spending side, so the supervisors (with the exception of Kathryn Barger, the lone dissenting vote) decided to go to the taxpayers for more money.
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Several cities across the county protested. They pointed out that state legislation to allow such a sales tax increase, AB 1768, had not yet passed.
But the Democrat-dominated state Legislature did its partisan duty, and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1768 on June 1 — the day before Election Day.
For several days, it seemed Measure ER had failed. Just like tax increases on the ballot in San Francisco, San Diego and elsewhere.
But then more ballots arrived by mail. And just as socialist mayoral candidate Nithya Raman surged to second place, Measure ER was resuscitated from “No” to “Yes.”
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LA County voters have now passed three sales tax increases on themselves in the past decade, including two for homeless services (Measure H in 2017 and Measure A in 2024).
Voters in the City of LA also passed Measure ULA in 2022. The so-called mansion tax was supposed to fund affordable housing, but it has been a disaster, drastically reducing new apartment construction in LA while funneling cash to left-wing groups.
Now, Democrats in Sacramento have struck a backroom deal that will make future real estate tax increases harder to pass, but that leaves Measure ULA in place. (Fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades might get an exemption if a November ballot initiative passes.)
And legislators have just passed a bill to raise taxes on insurance premiums, to subsidize Medi-Cal (which, thanks to Gavin Newsom and the Democrats, also covers many illegal immigrants).
So when we complain about “affordability,” we, the voters, should take some responsibility.
If we care about the cost of living, why do we keep voting to increase it?
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
