Pasadena Chamber Board Opposes Measure ER as Tuesday’s Vote Arrives

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association ‘s board of directors voted to “strongly oppose” Measure ER, the proposed Los Angeles County half-cent sales tax increase, which would generate an estimated $1 billion a year to fund hospitals and clinics facing reduced federal Medi-Cal funding.

Chamber President and CEO Paul Little said in a statement that the measure would place additional financial strain on residents.

“Measure ER would result in increased costs of most consumer goods, essential as well as discretionary purchases,” Little said. “That will further erode the spending power of consumers in Los Angeles County and make everything from cars to prepared food to paper clips more expensive.”

The Chamber’s objections go beyond the price tag. Board members pointed to prior county tax measures, including Measures H and A, which together generated billions of dollars targeted at homelessness — and yet, the Chamber noted, tens of thousands of people remain without shelter across the region. The board called on county officials to demonstrate better fiscal management before asking residents to contribute more.

“We are all struggling to understand how L.A. County could fail so miserably at protecting children in their care, on such an enormous scale, and throw so much money at project after project with little tangible result,” Little said in his statement.

Those pushing for the measure’s passage see it differently. The tax proposal — officially named the Essential Services Restoration Act — was introduced by Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Hilda Solis in response to an anticipated $2.4 billion shortfall in federal Medi-Cal funding that county officials say would destabilize the safety-net system serving millions of residents. The Board of Supervisors placed it on the ballot in February by a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger casting the lone dissent.

“I do not take lightly asking fellow residents to consider imposing a ½ percent retail tax,” Mitchell said. “This option is on the table because what’s at stake are safety net services unraveling for millions of residents which would come at an even greater cost for the largest county in the nation.”

Barger, who voted against placing the measure on the ballot, also opposed the approach. “Backfilling federal funding cuts on the backs of county taxpayers is not acceptable,” she said.

The measure would run five years, expiring October 1, 2031, and cannot be extended without additional voter approval. Revenue would flow into the county’s General Fund and be allocated annually through the budget process. County materials say accountability would be ensured through independent audits, public reporting, and a citizens’ oversight committee. Groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment would be exempt.