League of Women Voters Supports City of Sacramento Measure E

The League of Women Voters of Sacramento County strongly supports the passage of local Measure E on the City of Sacramento ballot for November 5, 2024. We call on voters to support access by all persons to our public library’s many services by voting YES to safeguard this city treasure of knowledge and information so fundamental to participation in a democratic society dependent upon an informed electorate.

Since 1998 the League of Women Voters California has held a position that promotes public policy and funding that recognize the essential nature of public libraries in a democratic society Position on Public Libraries - League of Women Voters of California (lwvc.org)

Passage of Measure E would serve to protect library revenues and spare officials from seeking renewal every five or six years. Measure E would combine two existing parcel taxes created in the recent past by voter-approved Measure B and Measure X. It would consolidate and extend the City of Sacramento’s these two existing parcel taxes but does not increase the tax. It simply makes it permanent unless repealed by the voters.

Voting Yes on Measure E ensures that Sacramento libraries will continue vital services:

• After school homework and reading programs for children, story time for preschoolers

• Providing a safe space for teens and seniors

• Providing digital technology for those without access to computers or the internet

• 24/7 online access to library resources

• Resources to help people find jobs and access community services

• Being accessible to those with disabilities

• Regular open hours at City libraries with adequate library staff

• Acquisition of books, magazines, newspapers, media, and other library materials

In May 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2024-0013, to combine the two parcel taxes and extend the resulting single parcel tax by amending chapter 3.148 and deleting chapter 3.150. The ordinance will take effect only if two thirds of voters approve it. LWVSC urges voters to consider the value of our Sacramento Public Library to the larger community as the state’s fourth-largest library system with libraries in the city of Sacramento offering an extensive range of services at 12 locations. Please vote Yes!

League of Women Voters of Sacramento County