A Powerful Team Effort

From CoCoTax President Pro Tem, Denise Kalm. As of the time of this writing, Measure B was behind 57%-43% and Measure G was 5 percent short of its 55% threshold with relatively few outstanding votes.

When I was asked to take the lead on working to defeat Measure B (as well as G and A), I had no idea what I was up against, nor did I have the experience.  Fortunately, other CoCoTax Executive Committee members have loads of experience in prior political contests as well as a gift for writing campaign arguments, collating and displaying the information we needed and other important writing.  Jason Bezis, attorney, was also critical to our efforts, as he was able to force ballot language changes in B (though it was still left too obscure and obfuscated to really show what the Board of Supes was doing).

But this would never have succeeded without the grassroots efforts of our small group of volunteers, most of who have signed on to help defeat the upcoming transit tax (aka BART tax).  We also had the gifted efforts of Jack Belgarde whose videos and knowledge of social media were critical.  We netted thousands of impressions in both areas, which wouldn’t have happened without him. 

I don’t want to break out all the different efforts each one made, as I’m sure I’d understate the work they did, so quietly did they go about making the difference in this election.  They passed out handouts, posted signs, made tons of comments on NextDoor and other social media, and talked to neighbors and friends, trying to explain why these measures were such a bad idea.  I’m hoping they will join us again for the fight against the transit tax.

CoCoTax funding for the No on B campaign was also cricual.  We are hoping this success will attract other groups and financial support for the upcoming November “cash grabs” expected including the transit tax.  Note:  we spent $20K (a lot for us); our opponents spent $500K.  We can win these things.

I thank all the people who volunteered and otherwise supported this effort; they did the heavy lifting and provided the enthusiasm and ingenuity we needed.  Please reach out to us if you’d like to join the challenge in thwarting the next round of ballot issues. 

CoCoTax to Lead Opposition to the November Transit Tax

Given the successful outcome of our campaign against Measure B, we have decided to take on the November transit tax. As you’ll learn from our campaign website (forthcoming), taxpayers and toll-payers already contribute over $6 billion to transit agencies in the five core Bay Area counties. We believe that is enough and that our officials need to figure out how to provide adequate service with that level of funding rather than tapping consumers for $1 billion per year more.

Upcoming Events

CoCoTax Lunch, June 26: Former State Senator Steve Glazer Discusses BART Accountability
Friday, June 26, 2026 | 11:45am – 1:15pm PDT

CoCoTax Lunch, July 24: County Budget Overview with County Administrator Monica Nino
Friday, July 24, 2026 | 11:45am – 1:15pm PDT

Although we won’t have a lunch in August, we will have a members Zoom call on or about August 12th to discuss CoCoTax recommendations for the November ballot.

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