While California’s election process theoretically balances the ability of tax proponents and opponents to reach voters, in practice, the playing field is uneven. Those seeking new money for cities and school districts have professional help, while taxpayer groups like ours are more likely to be “ragtag bands of fiscal hawks” (as a San Francisco newspaper recently called us).

For the fall election, we did what we could to provide voters with the critical information they should have when making their choices. In all, CoCoTax submitted arguments against nine measures on the fall ballot. The measures we targeted included tax increases, a school bond measure in East County, and an effort to deprive Walnut Creek voters of the opportunity to elect the City’s Treasurer.

I’d like to thank our Executive Committee members Mike Arata, Bill Claus, Denise Gianni, Denise Kalm, Gregg Marvel, Sue Pricco, Bryan Scott, and Kathleen Young for helping with this effort. Also, I’d like to thank the many current and (hopefully) future members around the County who signed, edited, and helped deliver arguments.

When you see our brief arguments and rebuttals in the Voter Information Guide next month, you may think this was a small effort. But, in fact, a lot of work is involved to pull this together in a short period of time.

After deciding which measures to oppose, we have to find signers, agree with them on argument text, obtain their wet signatures on argument forms, and file these forms at the County Election office in Martinez or at the City Clerk’s Office for municipal measures. This involved hundreds of miles of driving and the whole process had to be repeated for rebuttals to the proponents’ arguments for the various taxes, bonds, or government organizational changes we opposed.

The County Registrar of Voters could do a lot to level the playing field between measure proponents and opponents by allowing us to sign and file our arguments electronically (it is 2026 after all). They could also increase the length of the filing period.

A Call to Action from Our Members

By Denise Kalm, CoCoTax Vice President

For a while, I enjoyed the Contra Costa Taxpayers monthly meetings and the camaraderie of like-minded people.  But then, I found myself thinking – what are we actually changing?  What impact are we having?  Things keep getting worse in both Contra Costa County and the state.  Shouldn’t our organization do more?

It's easy to think that there are “people” to do this, but in fact, we are the people.  A small group of us were able to get Measures B & G defeated; it shows me that even a little effort can work wonders.  I’m asking you, as your new VP to join in taking a step to help us defeat the tax propositions on the November ballot and help us win on things like Voter ID and a chance to save Proposition 13.

Here are some ideas; see what you think you can do:

1.   When you are asked to help sign a ballot measure argument or rebuttal, assuming you agree with the stance CoCoTax has voted on, please help us by signing.  It’s a quick way to help those of us spending hours drafting these things; we need your voice.  If you have a title, or some standing in the community, that helps even more.

2.   Work with us on our Nextdoor and Facebook campaigns.  From the June election, we’ve seen the power of simple posts.  Some of us got thousands of views and responses.  This helps get people to vote and to vote the way we want them to.  We can help with content, if you don’t feel like you know what to write.

3.   Offer to put up a sign in your yard or permitted areas if we are offering signs.  Remember to take them down after the election.

4.   Talk to your friends and neighbors about issues.  Issues are usually less polarizing than candidates.  Stress “affordability.”  That’s our mantra this election and gets people’s attention.  Ex.  “Hi, did you hear they are trying to make sales taxes higher?  Can we afford this?  We’re taxed so much already.”

5.   Share a website, if we create one. There is one for the transit tax already, with great information.  Fixes Before Funding | Stop the Bay Area Transit Sales Tax

6.   Contact us if you’re not sure how you can help.  We’ll find a way.

7.   If no time, consider donating.  This helps us get messages out, pays for things like signs and makes all this work possible.  We’re all volunteers.  Our website donation link is here.

It takes all of us.  Please volunteer.  Any questions, contact Denise Kalm at [email protected].

Upcoming Events

Transit Tax Opposition Event in San Jose featuring Jon Coupal and Debora Allen, September 2.

CoCoTax Lunch, September 25: Proposition 43 with Scott Kaufman, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Friday, September 25, 2026 | 11:45am – 1:15pm PDT | Denny's, 1313 Willow Pass Road, Concord

Scott Kaufman, Legislative Director of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, will discuss Proposition 43, which would raise the threshold for citizen-initiated special tax measures from a simple majority to two thirds.

The meeting will kick off with an update from Central San.

CoCoTax Lunch, October 23: November Tax Ballot Measures with Rob Gutierrez, CalTax
Friday, October 23, 2026 | 11:45am – 1:15pm PDT | Denny's, 1313 Willow Pass Road, Concord

Rob Gutierrez, President and CEO of the California Taxpayers Association, will analyze Proposition 40, the one-time 5% tax on billionaires, and Proposition 3, which would make the state's top personal income tax rates permanent.

The meeting will kick off with an update from the Contra Costa Water District.

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