Four voters filed suit against the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors challenging placement of a proposed 5/8-cent sales tax for health care on the ballot using an emergency declaration. The plaintiffs say no emergency such as an earthquake, fire or terrorist attack exists and allege the board 'invented' an exclusive emergency without statutory justification. The measure would fund four hospitals facing federal cuts and could be used for any purpose. County Executive James Williams projects over $1 billion in budget shortfalls due to federal Medicaid changes. Plaintiffs seek an expedited hearing to remove the measure and say ballot language is biased.
Four voters are suing the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors over a sales tax for health care that was placed on the ballot with an emergency declaration. The voters said there is no emergency, such as an earthquake, fire or terrorist attack. "The Board of Supervisors has engaged in mere handwaving to invent its own exclusive 'emergency,' with no statutory justification," said the lawsuit, filed Monday by attorney Jason Bezis in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
While the money, if approved, could be used for any purpose, the supervisors said it will fund four hospitals that are facing cuts from the federal government. County Executive James Williams said he's anticipating budget shortfalls of more than $1 billion due to President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," which made cuts and changes to Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal in California.
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