2006 Measure T (Richmond, California)

Measure T was a 2006 Richmond, California city election ballot measure to raise funds for city services in Richmond, California

The measure's purpose was to raise $10 million in additional annual revenue for the purpose of hiring fifty additional police officers, expanding community programs and youth crime prevention, and to serve as a general city tax code overhaul. It proposed adding a 1/8% manufacturing tax on raw materials used in manufacturing. More controversially, the taxation of rental units would change from a flat $247 annual fee to a fee of $35-$90 per "residential" unit and a 3 cents per square foot tax on "non-residential" units. Measure T would have also increased the business tax by 10% and made small adjustments to other business taxes, such as those for arcade games. It was supported by the Richmond Police Department including Chief Rupf and several neighborhood councils. Chevron, which has a large oil refinery in Richmond, opposed the measure. Under the Measure T provisions, Chevron would pay eight of the desired ten million dollars. A few local local taxpayer organizations also opposed the measure. It was defeated by a ratio of approximately two to one.