Measure H – Increase Card Room Tax for City Services

This measure would raise card room taxes from 15% to 16.5% and allow each of the city’s two casinos to add 15 tables. The San Jose Mercury News opposes the measure because it expands gambling, even as it raises taxes on casinos. The text of the measure says that it would pay for lots of things, including street repair, youth services and addressing homelessness; but because it is a general fund tax, the revenue would be available to use for any city service. Measure H was placed on the ballot by a 10-1 vote by the City Council in August, with Mayor Sam Liccardo as the only “no” vote.