For opponents of Elk Grove's year-round homeless shelter, Measure E has become a Trojan Horse

Like a Trojan Horse, did those Elk Grove voters who supported the consumer tax increase under Measure E understand and realize the city would be spending money on a homeless shelter? |     

By D.A Gougherty |   

The city of Elk Grove's recent announcement about the year-round shelter has been harshly received. Some of the most vocal opposition has been from people who seemingly identify as living near the East Stockton Boulevard facility.

Interestingly, the city has promoted the opening of a year-round facility for 35 clients, which Measure E is funding. That measure, which raised sales taxes on consumer purchases in Elk Grove by one percent, is expected to raise $23 million initially and increase over time as the city grows and prices rise. 

When Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, her city council, and the Cosumnes Community Services District pushed for passage two years ago, many promises were made. Among the various goodies promised by the city were improved public safety from the Cosumnes Fire Department and Elk Grove Police, as well as more economic development activity.

Tucked into the measure's promotion were promises of more funding to tackle the city's fast-growing homeless population. The city said polling showed that was one of the top resident concerns.

We can't help but wonder if people who voted for Measure E were cognitive of how the money would be used to address homelessness. Did they think spending Measure E funds on homelessness would buy them bus tickets to exile them to somewhere outside city limits?

Furthermore, would they have voted in favor if they knew it would be spent on a year-round facility to help people experiencing homelessness?

Obviously, these are academic conversations, but we can't help but consider many of those supporting Measure E for public safety considerations are opposing the homeless shelter funded by the very tax increase they supported. It's worth considering that irony.  

When Measure E was being debated, Elk Grove News opposed it. Our opposition was based primarily on the regressive nature of sales taxes and their adverse effects on lower-income individuals and families.

While we still do not support this regressive tax, now that it is being collected, it is heartening to see some of that extra tax revenue directed to our community's most vulnerable. We applaud the effort to take substantive steps to address this situation. 

Undoubtedly, the city could have done a better job of community outreach for the new shelter. Nonetheless, almost any location in the city near services for the shelter's clients would generate opposition.   

Elk Grove is a big city with a population quickly approaching 200,000. We cannot ignore these big-city challenges and hope they disappear.   

Those who supported Measure E and oppose this or any homeless shelter within our community should remember that the city promised to spend money addressing this problem, and surprisingly, they are making good on that commitment.  If you object to the city's direction, voters can remove those elected officials who approved this facility.

Not surprisingly, for many of those who supported the regressive tax, Measure E has become their Trojan Horse. 






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