What to know about Measure E, the sales tax proposal

People vote at the Sant Cruz County Clerk Elections office on June 2. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local) SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Local programs that provide health care, food and other basic needs are facing rising demand and diminishing resources following last year’s federal budget bill. Measure E aims to buoy programs and institutions that provide social services with a temporary sales tax hike. The measure would increase sales tax rates across Santa Cruz County by 0.5%, adding an additional 50 cents to a $100 purchase. It would expire in 2032. Groceries, prescription medicine and some other products are exempt from sales taxes. “We have many residents who ask, ‘What can we do? What can we do to stand up against this federal administration?’” said Santa Cruz County Supervisor Monica Martinez at an Aug. 5 meeting of the Board of Supervisors. “This ballot measure is an opportunity for them to do something.” But opponents have cautioned that Measure E is a general tax tha