Letter: The hypocrisy of proponents of the Vacancy Tax

There are in-progress and proposed projects that are giving me hope for the community of South Lake Tahoe: A new recreation center, a new first responder building, investment and planning into new fire stations, Motel 6 demolition and conversion to nature, a new building for Keep Tahoe Blue, a dorm room building at the community college, along with the 500+ affordable housing units under construction or in planning in South Lake Tahoe.

The Vacancy Tax ballot measure is tearing this community apart, taking time, effort, and attention away from the good that is happening in our town. The leading proponent and organizer of the vacancy ballot measure is not only causing harm to this community today, but they directly benefit long-term from the restrictive measures put on homeowners, and their hypocrisy needs to be highlighted.

This person is one of the lucky few who currently owns and operates a short-term rental AirBnB within the city limits (and outside the tourist corridor). She can rent her home for $300 a night, and, according to Measure T, she can rent up to 30 days a year. She would like to tell you about how other homeowners need to contribute more of their hard-earned money to the community should rent to locals, and shouldn’t be allowed to use their homes as they want to (short-term renting included).

Next year if this ballot passes, and I keep track of the days I’m in my home, or worry about filling out the annual form correctly, or wonder if my utility usage is going to spark an investigation, I’ll also think of my neighbors, like the community college professor in Sacramento who brings her kids to Tahoe, or the retired librarian from Sonora across my street who is too old to handle the winters here. Do you know what this Vacancy Tax proponent will be doing? She’ll be cashing her checks from AirBnB, every night, still telling you how you should use your home.

-Brett Richardson, a full time resident of the Bijou Neighborhood