Jeff Schwartz for Thousand Oaks Council
Issues Affecting Young Adults
De-Regulate Adult Cannabis
Decriminalize Adult Drug Possession
Government should never promote drug use. Nevertheless, drug decriminalization has actually reduced drug abuse rates in places like Portugal, where responsible drug possession is now legal. T.O. City Council should tell our Police Chief that we consider enforcement of adult drug possession laws to be a low priority. In contrast, DUI’s or any other criminal acts while under the influence, as well as sales to minors, should continue to be punishable crimes.
Cut Local Cannabis Tax in Half
Government should never promote cannabis use. However, high taxes on cannabis cause harm. There is a booming black market in cannabis, selling product that can be impure or even dangerous. Thousand Oaks can put a dent in the black market by cutting the local cannabis tax in half, from 10% to 5%. The City of Berkeley did this in 2018, with overwhelmingly positive results. Reducing local taxes on cannabis will also help improve our local economy.
Jeff Schwartz for Thousand Oaks Council
Issues Affecting Young Adults
Treat 18 Year-Olds Like Adults
Let’s stop treating 18-year-olds like children. Age 18 is already considered old enough to vote, serve on a jury, and join the military. Let’s now re-instate full legal rights to 18-year-olds under the law. Once you reach age 18, the City of Thousand Oaks should presume you to be of legal age to possess tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and/or firearms, including handguns, and anything else that’s currently restricted by law at age 18.
Reform Our Elections
Let’s reform our voting system and improve the way we determine the winner. About 15 states, and many U.S. cities, including San Francisco, New York City, Berkeley, Palm Desert, and Minneapolis, have adopted a better system called “Ranked Choice Voting,” a.k.a. “Instant Runoff Voting.” Thousand Oaks should tell Sacramento that we want to implement that system here.
Stimulate Private Charity
I propose that the City of T.O. award our residents tax credits based upon how much money each resident donates to a local private charity or non-profit of his or her choice. This will create a tremendous incentive for our residents to donate generously to local private charities.
Slash Property Taxes
In 1978, California enacted Proposition 13, which has saved taxpayers billions of dollars in taxes. Let’s expand Prop 13 so that ALL property owners get their property taxes lowered to the same low tax levels currently enjoyed by neighbors who have kept property in their families since 1978. This will create massively lower tax bills, stimulate new housing, super-charge our local economy, and pressure landlords to lower rents.
Slash Sales Taxes
We can super-charge our local economy by reducing or eliminating local sales tax. If Thousand Oaks can set its sales tax rate lower than that of surrounding communities, out-of-town shoppers will flock to our city in droves to make purchases of big-ticket items like cars, trucks, appliances, and furniture. These increased sales will stimulate our businesses and create more jobs.
Slash Local Income Taxes
California has one of the highest income taxes in the county. Let’s stimulate our local economy by reducing reckless or unnecessary spending by the City of T.O. By saving money, we can justify reducing local income taxes. That will make us all better off and more prosperous.
The Freedom Philosophy
Jeff holds a viewpoint that is as American as apple pie and resonates with the majority of Americans. He cares about EVERYBODY’S rights and freedoms. Jeff supports individual liberty and personal responsibility on all issues, 100% of the time. Jeff says, “No More Jokes On Thousand Oaks!”
