Los Angeles County is considering a sales tax increase to 10.25% to support its public healthcare safety net. The measure, known as the Essential Healthcare Restoration Act, aims to protect emergency rooms, public hospitals, and community clinics from federal funding cuts to healthcare.

Concerns Over Tax Increase

The proposed tax increase has sparked concerns among some residents, who argue that it will disproportionately affect low-income individuals and families. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has come out against the measure, citing its potential to raise the cost of goods and services.

Vice President of Communications Susan Shelley noted that the tax increase would be very regressive, hitting low-income people the hardest. She also pointed out that the measure is a general tax that can be spent on anything, despite being advertised as exclusively for healthcare.

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Office has reported that, as of Thursday, 1,012,236 yes votes (50.64%) have been counted for the measure, while 986,735 no votes (49.36%) have been counted.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.