Yes on Measure N Ballot Arguments:
“False and Misleading”

Superior Court Judge Orders Ballot Argument Statements Corrected After Former Mayor Brings Action Against Vacancy Tax Supporters

South Lake Tahoe – In a serious blow to their already struggling “Yes on Measure N” campaign, the authors of the arguments in the Official Voter Information Guide were ordered by an El Dorado County Superior Court Judge to change both their Argument in Favor of Measure N and in their Rebuttal to the Argument Against Measure N. Pursuant to the Elections Code, such an order can only be issued if the material in question is false, misleading, or inconsistent with the requirements of the law.

The court order took place after former South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tom Davis filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate in the Court alleging statements in their Ballot Arguments were false and misleading, and seeking to correct them.

“When it’s information in the Official Voter Information Guide, it’s held to a higher standard,” said Davis. “The Measure N folks have been playing fast and loose with the truth from day one, but when they lied in the Voter Information Guide, I couldn’t let it stand.”

At issue was the statement in both the Primary and Rebuttal Arguments in which Measure N supporters claimed that Measure N funds, “Can ONLY be spent on HOUSING, ROADS & TRANSIT.”

The Judge’s order came after a settlement between the parties because the plain language of Measure N clearly states the funds can also be spent on start-up administrative costs, enforcement and ongoing administration, litigation, and other costs of running the program. The City Attorney’s Title & Summary of Measure N, the Measure N ballot question itself, and City’s impact report on Measure N confirmed these administrative costs as an allowed use of any tax revenue.

Measure N Opponents React to the Ruling

The No on Measure N – Stop the South Tahoe Vacancy Tax campaign reacted to the Court’s order, saying:

“We want to thank former Mayor Davis for filing this court action, and we’re very pleased voters will be getting truthful information about the administrative costs of Measure N, which common sense would tell you are going to be massive,” said Sharon Kerrigan, Co-Chair of the No on Measure N campaign.

“Measure N requires the City of South Lake Tahoe to track the occupancy of each and every home in the City. Over 16,000 of them in fact,” said Steve Teshara, Campaign Co-Chair. “We have little doubt that the size and cost to the City for tax program administration, including enforcement will be significant, and may in fact consume the lion’s share of any revenue raised by Measure N.”

“The bottom line is they’ve been deliberately misleading voters from the start, and now they’ve been ordered by a court of law to correct the falsehoods in their ballot arguments,” concluded Kerrigan.