Costa Mesa Voters Won’t Hear an Opposing Argument on the Business Tax

In Costa Mesa, the upcoming November ballot includes Measure C, which proposes a higher business license tax. The official title hides the increase, calling it a reform and small‑business protection. Voters will only see the supporting argument because the deadline to file an opposing view passed before anyone could submit one.

City Clerk Brenda Green released the notice on July 23, stating that arguments had to be filed by July 30 and rebuttals by August 6. Former state senator John Moorlach tried to file a counter‑argument after the July 30 deadline, but the clerk told him he was too late. He said the seven‑day window felt stealthy and unfair.

Orange County Registrar Bob Page pointed to California Elections Code 9286(b), noting that the election is consolidated with another, which changes the usual 14‑day rule. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association’s legal director, Gregory Thyberg Jr., said the shortened period is not clearly illegal, though it makes opposition nearly impossible. The measure would raise the tax from a flat $200 per year to $0.50 for each $1,000 of gross receipts over $500,000, capped at $15,000 annually.

Moorlach’s drafted opposition warned that a grocery store paying $200 this year would jump to $15,000 next year, a 7,500% increase, and predicted the city would later target hotel and sales taxes. His yearly scorecard placed Costa Mesa as the second‑worst financially among 34 Orange County cities for 2025, with an unrestricted net deficit of about $1,860 per resident. He urged residents to shout "Unfair! No on Measure C!".