Last Chance For Early Voting Tomorrow

Coachella Valley residents who do not want to vote Tuesday in the general election can do so tomorrow.

Early voting will be available at the mall, 72840 Highway 111, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Absentee voters will have until 8 p.m. Tuesday to return the completed ballots, or they won't be counted.

The upcoming election includes requests for tax hikes in three municipalities -- Palm Springs, Indian Wells and Coachella.

Palm Springs voters will decide whether to increase the city's sales tax by 1 percentage point. Under Measure J, the levy would go from 7.75 percent to 8.75 percent, with the increase remaining in effect for 25 years.

Supporters emphasized that the city only receives 1 percent of the aggregate sales tax, with the state taking 6 percent and the county siphoning away 0.75 percent.

"Measure J will create local revenue which cannot be confiscated by Sacramento or Washington,'' they wrote.

But the Palm Springs Taxpayers Association slammed the proposed increase, saying the money could be used for anything, including raising city employees' salaries.

Indian Wells city leaders are asking a majority of voters there to enact Measure H, which would increase the municipality's transit occupancy tax from 9.25 percent to 11.25 percent.

According to supporters, the hike would translate to an additional $1 million in general fund income annually, providing money for police, street maintenance and public works projects.

According to ballot measure backers, the city needs more revenue to offset the loss of funds stemming from the decision by the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown to abolish local redevelopment agencies.

The tax would be imposed on hotel and motel guests.

In Coachella, a majority of voters will decide whether to approve a half- cent increase in the local sales tax, raising it from 1 percent to 1.5 percent on all retail transactions.

Measure K has a companion measure, L, which asks voters to state whether the additional revenue raised should be reserved for expanding park space and building or improving community centers and other public recreation facilities.

Two valley cities have council or mayoral races on the Nov. 8 ballot.

In Desert Hot Springs, three candidates are vying for two council seats, while Mayor Yvonne Parks will attempt to fend off challenges from business owner Alex Bias and the Rev. Robert Bentley.

In Palm Springs, four challengers are trying to unseat council incumbents Rick Hutcheson and Lee Weigel.

Mayor Steve Pougnet will square off against six aspirants to his job.

Palm Springs posted election information in English and Spanish on its website for the Nov. 8 election. Voters can get information regarding mayoral and City Council candidates, Measure J, sample ballots, and other election services at www.votepalmsprings.com.