Letter: ‘No’ vote on LA County tax hike about affordability, not party

Your Feb. 11 article, “Board puts sales tax hike on June ballot,” described me as the “lone Republican” in reporting on my no vote. That label risks turning what was a substantive policy disagreement into a partisan storyline. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is a nonpartisan body, and this debate was about affordability, not party affiliation.

Concerns about the rising cost of living and the burden of higher taxes cross political lines. That was evident when dozens of Democratic elected officials and cities, including La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn, opposed this proposal. Families trying to make ends meet are not viewing this through a partisan lens. Neither am I.

Healthcare challenges are real. But making everyday life more expensive without enforceable accountability is not responsible fiscal policy. My vote was about affordability and protecting taxpayers, period.

Kathryn Barger represents the 5th District on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors