1,266 / 58.64% Yes votes ...... 893 / 41.36% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

The tax is twelve percent (12%) of the rent charged by the operator of any hotel. The operator collects the tax at the same time the hotel visitor pays the rent for the room. The operator then pays the tax over to the City.

The funds raised by the tax paid by the hotel visitors will go into the general fund of the City and will be used for general municipal services, such as public safety, the repair and maintenance of City streets and other City improvement projects. For example, such funds can be utilized to pay for any or all of the continued increase in operational costs for police services ($4,682,424 budgeted for FY 2005-06), fire services ($6,756,499 budgeted for FY 2005-06), City library services ($2,614,009 budgeted for FY 2005-06), City Parks & Recreation facilities and services ($8,514,732 budgeted for FY 2005-06), as well as various street repair and improvement projects, amongst other things.

In order to pass, the proposed Measure must receive Yes votes from a majority of those voting on the Measure.

The passage of the proposed Measure will not result in additional costs to the City of Commerce. The Measure will have no effect on the City's existing laws.

If the proposed Measure is not passed by the voters, no tax will be levied on the hotel visitors within the City.

City of Commerce

Measure A will provide badly needed funds for police, fire and other essential city services. Measure A authorizes the implementation of a 12% Hotel Visitor Tax. Measure A will help ensure that the hotel visitors, who create additional burdens on our City, pay their fair share for City services.

We have studied this issue and want to give you the facts.

A Hotel Visitor Tax in Commerce will provide essential funds to run City services. Measure A will produce badly needed revenues that can be used to help pay for City police, fire, and various public improvement projects ... money that will mean safer streets and greater security.

Neighboring cities benefit from their own Hotel Visitor Tax revenue, while Commerce has not taken advantage of this revenue source that will improve the safety and appearance of our neighborhoods. The Cities of Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Los Angeles, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, and South Gate all use Hotel Visitor Tax revenue to pay for necessary public improvements.

A Hotel Visitor Tax can help improve tourist activity. The tax will not harm hotel businesses or tourism. In fact, by maintaining our City services, tourists are more likely to stay here.

We must be ready to meet new challenges. These are difficult times for our country and our community. We need to make sure our City can respond in any emergency situation or crisis. Measure A will help keep Commerce ready to respond to any emergency situation and continue to serve the residents of our City.

REMEMBER, THIS TAX IS PAID FOR BY TOURISTS ... NOT COMMERCE RESIDENTS.

WE URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON MEASURE A.

HUGO A. ARGUMEDO

ROSALINA G. LOPEZ

ROBERT C. FIERRO

TINA BACA DEL RIO

NANCY M. RAMOS

(No arguments against Measure A were submitted)