Three similar letters to the editor printed the same day supporting the Empty Home Tax all contain the identical falsehood. All three letters state that the annual homeowner reporting requirements will be just “one question,” a “one-step questionnaire,” ”just answering yes or no,” to prove you lived in your home enough days to avoid the $6,000 tax.

In reality, if you actually read the proposed ordinance, there is no such procedure described at all. Even Sandy Brown (one of the writers/signers of the EHT) stated they “wanted to give the city wide latitude” in determining the reporting process. The truth is they have no idea what will be required of each of us every year, and are trying to make it sound innocent hoping you won’t look too deep while they try to convince you to vote for this ineffective, intrusive, flawed ordinance. Don’t be fooled. Vote No on N.

— Steve Marcusa, Santa Cruz

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