From Your Santa Barbara Sweetheart
by Bonnie Donovan
What is a Tariff and is it a New Thing?
“After the United States achieved independence in 1783, under the Articles of Confederation, the U.S. federal government could not collect taxes directly but had to "request" money from each state. The power to levy taxes and tariffs, when proposed by the United States House of Representatives, was granted to the federal government by the United States Constitution after it came into effect in 1789. The new government needed a way to collect taxes from all the states that was easy to enforce and had only a nominal cost to the average citizen. The Tariff of 1789 was the second bill signed by President George Washington imposing a tariff of about 5% on nearly all imports, with a few exceptions.[11] In 1790 the United States Revenue Cutter Service was established to primarily enforce and collect the import tariffs. This service later became the United States Coast Guard.”
United States Wants to ban Tik Tok
Did You Know that many countries ban American Apps? I have tenants that are complaining about the cost of everything here. I suggested they download the grocery store apps for discounts at the stores. They told me they can’t download American apps. Well, Well, Well.
On To the “Protest”
I thought both Santa Barbara City Council members Oscar Gutierrez and Alejandra Gutierrez had repeatedly told us that people from their districts are too afraid to go to city hall to get a business license (for street vending) because they are afraid of our government! This was during the Biden Administration, way before Trump was re-elected. Was this just an excuse so they wouldn’t have to pay the minimal $25 fee? Yet they aren’t afraid enough to protest waving their national flags and burning ours?
Sneddon, Friedman, and Gutierrez continue to bring up the “new administration.” Why don’t people from the 1st and 3rd Districts have to follow the laws like we have to?
Both Council members Santa-Maria and Oscar Gutierrez asked the people who had the protest on Milpas Street a couple of weeks ago, next time to come to them before they plan an event.
No. They didn’t take out a permit etc., and they don’t have to pay any fees.
Still my question is why doesn’t everyone have to follow the law?
My ancestors came centuries ago, and they had to enter correctly and pay their way. My father and uncle had to put their properties up as collateral to sponsor relatives coming to America, to guarantee that their relatives wouldn't accumulate debts, that they had jobs, and that they were financially supported.
State Street Losing Three More Businesses
I’m so tired of the commenters on Nextdoor, Facebook, etc. Every time someone notifies us that another store or restaurant is closing on State Street they blame “greedy” landlords demanding high rents. The latest three to close are retailers Volcom and Billabong, along with Pascucci restaurant.
Did you know that State Street rents are lower than Ventura rates?
Did you know that Santa Barbara passed the Community Benefit Improvement District CBID, taxing the downtown properties (not only State Street but also Anacapa and Chapala)? This tax goes on their property tax bill. Also known as being passed along to the tenants.
I was told that with the CBID, the city cost on State Street will be going down; didn’t look like it from the presentation by staff on State Street (January meeting).
I was notified that a child was hit on State Street by a cyclist last week. Why didn’t we hear about this at Council or on the News?
Here is your latest visual evidence of the continued lie that BCycle will be riding a bike with a trailer around to change their batteries.
City Staff and council still haven’t done anything about this
We keep giving SBACT and CityNet millions of dollars to get control of this situation.
Q. Do they round them up and collect and throw away the garbage all around them?
A. No. And a lot of the things dumped around town end up at the encampments. We the taxpayers continue to pay for this.
CityNet and SBACT were brought in to take some of the burden off Cottage Hospital, our Police and Fire Departments, and our city staff.
Q. Who is doing the work?
A. Our Police and city staff.
Money well spent?
From a Reader:
I'm sending this just for info since you are always investigating and writing. This might give you some ideas as well.
I cannot keep up with it all. Uggghhhh.
Malena Carollo
As LA fires burn, SoCal Edison allowed to raise rates for 2017 blaze
https://x.com/Riley_Gaines_/status/1887510161335386230.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
How Dare the County Board of Supervisors Ask For a Raise?
You should write the County Board of Supervisors and let them know: Hell no! No raise!
Q. Why would Laura Capps (and County Board of Supervisors), Salud, Greg Hart, Monique Limon, Eric, Kristen, Oscar, Wendy Santa Maria etc., all fight ICE?
A. They apparently want gangs like MS13 to settle in their neighborhoods.
Remember, we just had that murder case in Santa Maria.
Don’t we want all dangerous people out of here?
Isn’t their first job our safety?
Did You Know
Our elected officials claim to be “bipartisan,” yet are doing nothing but fighting Trump supporters.
Salud Carbajal again claims to be “bipartisan,” yet does nothing but resist anything and everything Trumpian.
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Want to volunteer for the 77th Annual Orchid Show? Interested in attending? Click here for more.
Shake It Up!
This year is the 100th Anniversary of Santa Barbara’s big earthquake.
They also have a Facebook page: look for EQ25 or just click this link
The sad decline of State Street is yet another example of the failed, radical activism which seems to continue on the SB City Council. When will they ever learn or do they even care? Let’s see, they’ve managed to chase out many businesses resulting in our once vibrant downtown becoming a ghost town. No businesses, means no sales tax, means no revenue, means higher deficits, means higher property taxes. Should be simple, right? No, the social warriors on the CC know exactly what they are doing. Close businesses, approve public housing, promote divisiveness and promote illegal migration. At the same time, coming down on business owners by way of regulations and regressive taxes, then look the other way when it comes to unlicensed taco stands, illegal immigration demonstrations and dangerous e-bike riders mowing down children. Are businesses able to go on a “tenant strike” as we now see apartment renters doing, or is this for only unrepresented groups of color? The taking over of our streets by immigration activists, waving their Mexican flags, puts the public in danger and is an embarrassment and outrage to our community. How can anyone continue to vote for this insanity? Oh that’s right, many are part of the problem and/or are on the public sector dole. We are close to the tipping point here locally, something has to give or we can look forward to becoming another cesspool like Venice.
Geez Bonnie what did you hold back?
What can this organization say? It is all true. Yet when faced with reality, increasing government costs, destruction of local cities centers of commerce what do they say? It is in your best interests. What?
Look at Old Town Goleta. It has been now estimated that 10% of the businesses will not survive with the Hollister Narrowing. Goleta Council is handing out welfare checks because they have failed (but it is in their best interests).
When faced with the reality of intentionally congested or closed main traffic arteries the Santa Barbara Council states "it is in your best interest. Remember when June Pujo wrote the circulation element almost 40 years ago promoting narrowing of State and removing parking? What was her conclusion? Businesses that depend on shoppers that drive will go out of business. This Council Ignores the reality of Death Valley aka State St. They fiddle as Rome burns.
Prediction the new BID will fail. The businesses and the Chamber that promoted it will not own up to this failure. There will be more and more expensive government handouts to paper over failure. City Council future renditions will state "it is in their best interest."
Bonnie Happy Valentine's Day. (now put down the magnifying glass for one day).