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By Pam Zielinski, Oceanside
I live here full time and do not own a vacation rental home. However, I want to advocate for people who do own one, and who could potentially lose that home if the county keeps squeezing them for more money.
As a result of the pandemic, there was an explosion in local tourism and a resulting increase in the number of vacation rentals. That created a knee-jerk reaction from full time residents who assumed this explosion would continue, but it did not continue. Instead there has been a dramatic reduction in bookings resulting from loosening of restrictions on overseas travel.
In addition to suffering decreased income from bookings, people who own vacation rentals have been assaulted with new rules, onerous and expensive requirements, reductions in their ability to derive the income they need, and in some cases the threat of financial ruin.
These folks are mostly at the mercy of the voters because they can only vote where their primary homes are located. This makes them an easy target for imposing increased taxes.
On their behalf, I am asking that you please give these people a break at a time when it’s sorely needed. Please vote no in May on the increase of the Lodging Tax.
Instead, support our wonderful legislators, Rep. Cyrus Javadi and Sen. Suzanne Weber, who seem to be doing what they can to influence the State to allow us to use more of the already large pool of Lodging Tax in ways that full time residents will most appreciate. The State dictates how Loding Tax funds can be used, and if those restrictions are revised to a more practical application, then we don’t need to further assault this persecuted segment of our community by layering on higher taxes.
We do not need to increase the Lodging Tax at this time. Please vote NO on Measure 29-183.
