April 2009
Joe Armendariz, Executive Director, is giving presentations on No on Prop1A.  If you want him to speak to your organization, email him. View his presentation...Click Here

March 19, 2009
City gives workers too much time off : Lanny Ebenstein says some get 83 paid days off a year
Read the article...Click Here

November 24, 2008
California Taxpayer Groups Advocate for Less Government Spending
Letter to the Governer...Click Here

April 12, 2008
City mulls expanding utility users tax - Internet telephone, satellite TV are added elements
A taxpayers association executive is concerned that including new telephone technologies in an expanded utility users tax (UUT) in Santa Barbara could have an impact on the bottom lines of companies and business owners operating in the digital economy...READ FULL STORY

February 26, 2008
Economic Study Shows Chumash Resort “Substantial”
Positive Impact upon County
Tribe 2nd Fastest Growing Local Employer; Influenced $366 Million in Sales throughout County
The Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association (SBCTA) released today the findings of an economic impact report commissioned by the association to measure the economic impacts of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Casino Resort and other tribal activities...READ FULL REPORT

February 7, 2008
Taxes that Must be Stopped
By John Campbell
In light of the debate over the economic stimulus package, many people have forgotten about the impending danger of major tax increases.  Below are some of the tax increases you will get if Congress does nothing.  These increases will be automatic unless Congress does something to stop them.
This is yet another reason why I opposed the stimulus package.  Making the current tax rates permanent is more important than any one time wealth redistribution that is disguised as a rebate... Read rest of text here

February 6, 2008
Voters Defeat Local Tax Measures...Read here

August 23, 2007
Lightblueline withdrawn, By Scott Steepleton
The lightblueline will not be coming to Santa Barbara.
Bruce Caron, who proposed painting a blue line throughout Santa Barbara as a way to show what the city might look like if some predictions about global warming come true, today withdrew his request. In an e-mail to City Manager Jim Armstrong, Mr. Caron says, "The lightblueline environmental awareness public art project is today withdrawing its request for Santa Barbara City Council consideration. We thank the City for its careful consideration of this project over the past year." The project has been the source of controversy since early July, when the council voted to spend $12,000 on it. For more, see Friday's News-Press.

August 23, 2007
The Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association has announced their support with respect to the Santa Barbara City Council’s decision to withdraw the controversial “light-blue-line”.
“We remain convinced that the city hadn’t thought this policy through and were unprepared to deal with the important questions their blue line raised not the least of which is the affect it would have had on local property values”, said Tobe Plough, a director of the Association. Read rest of text here

August 22, 2007
Honorable Council members: 
This appeal is filed on behalf of Jerry Beaver and Stop the Blue Line, a group citizens interested in this issue pursuant to Chapter 22.22.170 of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code. Mr. Beaver is an interested party adversely affected by the Historic Landmarks Commission's Aug. 8 approval of the Light Blue Line project because Mr. Beaver owns real property within the project area and attended the HLC meeting. Mr. Beaver's properties will be directly impacted by the proposal for the reasons described herein. Read rest of text here

August 21, 2007
Santa Barbara County responds to SBCTA's inquiry regarding the childrens health initiative...Read their response here

August 2, 2007
Taxpayers Association charges City of Santa Barbara with Thoughtless Decision Making...SBCTA's Position on Light Blue Line

October 24, 2006
Taxpayers Association, Taxpayers & Non-Profit Group Sue Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to Recover State Bond Funds...SBCTA Joins Lawsuit