Hilliard Camp: Dave Roberts is a Tax-a-holic

SAN DIEGO, May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Registered lobbyist Dave Roberts, candidate for County Supervisor Third District, is under fire for supporting numerous tax-hike propositions and initiatives, include a hike in the local state sales tax, while serving as a City Councilman in Solana Beach.

"Dave Roberts is a tax-a-holic," declared K.B. Forbes, campaign manager for Carl Hilliard, Roberts's opponent for the Third District County Supervisor's seat. "The residents and voters of the Third District are sick and tired of higher taxes, more government waste, and that's exactly what Dave Roberts epitomizes."

According to public records, Roberts has actively supported local tax-hike initiatives.

In 2004, Roberts publicly declared his support for Proposition A that would extend a half-cent sales-tax increase in the County for forty years.  Then in 2006, Roberts wrote a letter-to-the-editor in support of Proposition E to increase the transient occupancy tax rate by 30 percent. Finally, in 2010, Roberts signed the ballot argument in favor of Proposition L that would have established a new business tax. Proposition L was soundly defeated.

Forbes added, "Roberts' support of statewide initiatives to increase taxes is just as embarrassing."

Roberts supported California Propositions 86 and 87 in 2006, according to published reports. Proposition 86 would have imposed an additional tax of $2.60 on each pack of cigarettes, while Proposition 87 was a $4 billion tax initiative that would have increased gasoline prices.

"As a chronic tax-a-holic, Roberts has also contributed to shameful government waste," Forbes said.

The San Diego County Taxpayers Association gave the Solana Beach City Council, of which Roberts is a member, their Golden Fleece Award for poor fiscal management, writing, "The Solana Beach City Council voted to hold a citywide special election.…[i]nstead of waiting for the next general election to have the measure on the ballot … at a cost of $1,500, this special election cost an estimated $150,000." 

The Solana Beach Scuttlebutt reported at the time, "Roberts said the special election is a wise use of the city's money….  'If we don't do something before that ... it's in effect a moratorium,' Roberts said."

Carl Hilliard, on the other hand, is the only candidate for County Supervisor, Third District, endorsed by the anti-tax Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. As Mayor, Hilliard's anti-tax, anti-wasteful spending platform garnered his city a coveted Triple A bond rating.

SOURCE hilliardforsupervisor2012.com