Staggering salaries, perks of LA County bosses who voted for infuriating tax hike

The LA County Supervisors who voted through a tax hike that will see prices surge for almost everything earn up to $300,000 per year, the California Post can reveal.

Four Democrats on the five-strong board forced through the half-cent sales tax increase on Tuesday, with the lone Republican voting against it.

The move, which supporters say is to counter looming federal health care funding cuts, will see the current rate leap from 9.75 percent to 10.25 percent.

If voters approve the measure in June, it will raise the costs of shopping, dining and a litany of other everyday purchases across the region.

While the hike will hit struggling Los Angelinos in the pocket daily, it is unlikely to faze the county supervisors.

The board rake in a staggering $244,000 per year in salary, with it ballooning up to $300,000 after “other pay” such as stipends and car allowances, county data reviewed by the California Post shows.

If approved, the tax change would cost an extra 50 cents in sales tax to buy a $100 dress, for example. If you were to buy a car for $100,000, the final cost would include an extra $500 in sales tax.

Susan Shelley, vice president of communications for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, tore into the vote this week.

Shelley, whose nonpartisan watchdog is dedicated to opposing tax hikes in the Golden State told the California Post the hike does not address root causes like fraud and overspending.

She added: “They just immediately reach for tax increases.”

Marc Jofe, a former federalism and state policy analyst at the Cato Institute, agreed, telling the Daily Bulletin: “Why should less affluent Los Angeles County residents be required to pay more for clothes, school supplies, and motor vehicles, especially when the sales tax burden is already so high?”

Supervisors Hilda Solis and Holly Mitchell pushed the tax hike through, claiming it will help counter looming federal health care funding cuts that threaten Medi-Cal services.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and Janice Hahn also voted in favor.

Kathryn Barger, the lone Republican Supervisor, acknowledged the health care challenges facing the County are “serious issues,” but said the state should step up, not the taxpayers.

She said in a statement: “We should be demanding stronger commitments from our state’s legislators.

“Making things more expensive—especially for those who can least afford it—without real guarantees or accountability is not the answer.

“Placing a burden on taxpayers, with no certainty that the dollars will be spent as intended, is not responsible fiscal policy.”

Barger also expressed concerned the money would go toward the general fund, and not address the specific needs in the health sector.

But care officials who backed the measure said the additional tax is necessary to prevent cuts to crucial medical services.

Louise McCarthy, CEO of the Community Clinic Association of LA County, told CalMatters: “The ballot measure that we are proposing is an urgent and necessary step to stop the damage and protect access to life-saving care. The stakes right now could not be higher.”