A new proposal to establish a permanent half-cent sales tax in Los Angeles County to fund affordable housing and homeless services has qualified for the November ballot. This tax increase seeks to replace the existing Measure H quarter-cent sales tax, approved by voters in 2017, which funds homeless programs until 2027. Supporters argue that the new tax would expand programs to address the root causes of homelessness and emphasize prevention.

Yes, another tax for homeless programs! And this one is a forever tax!

It is a fair question: How much more will Angelenos be taxed, given that the state has already spent $25 billion on homelessness over the past five years, and the situation has only worsened? Despite this substantial spending, the homelessness crisis in California worsened, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of current spending and the accountability of these programs.

Business leaders, including those from the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), are also sounding the alarm. They argue that this new proposal feels rushed, especially with three years remaining on the Measure H tax, and would impose a “forever tax” on residents.

Shouldn’t we first see the results of the $25 billion already spent before voting on a permanent homeless sales tax?