Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805
Structural Governance Gaps Are the Center Question
Structural Governance Gaps Are the Center Question
Structural Governance Gaps Are the Center Question
The labor force represents all residents in the jurisdiction who voluntarily seek employment. Not all residents seek employment because they (1) are not of age, (2) are retired, (3) are not capable of working, or (4) simply choose not to participate in the workforce.
For nearly half a century, Proposition 13 has served as California’s bedrock defense against unsustainable taxation and fiscal overreach. By capping property tax rates and establishing clear supermajority vote requirements for special taxes, voters created a stable framework designed to keep homeowners in their homes and ensure local governments live within their means.
However, over the past decade, judicial rulings have eroded these core taxpayer protections.
When state lawmakers pass complex environmental mandates in Sacramento, they rarely frame them as tax hikes. Instead, they use promises of “producer responsibility” and “sustainability.” But when the bill comes due, it is always California taxpayers and everyday consumers who end up footing the tab.
… At VCTA, we believe it is time to declare our own independence—not from individuals, but from habits that no longer serve taxpayers, students or our community.
The Ventura County Taxpayers Association has been reviewing the proposed FY 2026-27 budget for the Ventura County Medical System (VCMS), and one issue stands out above all others:
VCMS continues to rely on borrowing to fund its operations.
Download the 2026 Economic Outlook Report presented at our April 14th VCTF event.
This comprehensive report is presented by Dr. Mark Schniepp from the California Economic Forecast.
On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the Board voted 5-0 to move forward with a massive construction project under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA). This decision was made despite a promised key study that isn’t even finished yet.
The Broken Promise of 2020
Back in 2020, a different group of Supervisors started a $90 million pilot study. The plan was to build four small projects to compare union-only contracts (PLAs) against regular competitive bidding. The Board promised they wouldn’t expand these union-only rules until a full “cost and performance study” was finished.
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805.
The Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) has long supported responsible stewardship of County resources and transparent oversight of the Ventura County Medical System (VCMS). As we prepare to address the Board of Supervisors, it has become increasingly clear that VCMS is facing a financial crisis — one driven not by outside forces, but by management’s persistent failure to address its ongoing structural cash-flow deficit.
The Core Problem: A Structural Cash-Flow Deficit Getting Worse …
In a decisive move that prioritizes taxpayer dollars and essential services, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors rejected key elements of Item 43 on August 26, 2025. This proposal sought to allocate millions in public funds for immigration-related initiatives, including a $250,000 Immigration Legal Defense Fund, seven new positions in the Public Defender’s Office Immigrant Defense Unit at an annual cost of about $1.3 million, and up to $1.9 million over three years for a migrant education program.
The Ventura County Taxpayers Association opposes the proposed California mileage tax for vehicles for several reasons.
We acknowledge that the gasoline excise tax finances 80% of California road repairs. The state collects $1.28B per month from this tax. Yet, it doesn’t seem to be enough for Sacramento. (In fairness, only $600M per month is for road repairs. The other $680M goes to different purposes. See a breakdown below).
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) is pleased to report positive developments regarding the financial transparency of the Ventura County Medical System (VCMS). The Ventura County Board of Supervisors (BOS) has approved a measure, advocated for by…
We’re charging into 2025 with unstoppable momentum and a packed schedule. That makes these monthly recaps essential to keep you in the loop! Here’s a snapshot of February’s highlights at the Ventura County Taxpayer Association!
With 2024 behind us, we can now assess whether any shifts in the momentum of regional economic growth have occurred in early 2025.
The County’s labor market generated 4,692 jobs in 2024, representing a growth rate of 1.5 percent, which was similar to the aggregate of other Southern California Counties.
How Ventura County Medical System is Draining Taxpayer Dollars
Ensuring efficiency and accountability in government spending is often a slow and complex process. However, the Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) is dedicated to making sure taxpayer dollars are managed responsibly and transparently in our public institutions.
This newsletter aims to inform Ventura County residents and encourage action from the Board of Supervisors and other decision-makers to adopt three steps it must take to restore public trust and ensure responsible financial management at the Ventura County Medical System (VCMS).
Formed in 1954, The Ventura County Taxpayers Association is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization dedicated to a non-partisan, fact-finding mission, emphasizing issues that affect Ventura County.
