The Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers (CST) is a non-partisan civic engagement organization focused on local government accountability, fiscal responsibility and transparency on behalf of Marin taxpayers across the political spectrum.

The Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers (CST) is a non-partisan civic engagement organization focused on local government accountability, fiscal responsibility and transparency on behalf of Marin taxpayers across the political spectrum.

OUR COALITION

The Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers (CST) is dedicated to keeping local taxes and fees on essential services fair and affordable for all of Marin. As the Taxpayers’ Voice, we work with the county, city and towns, school boards, and special districts to guide them on how to make necessary tax and spending proposals fair, affordable, and transparent.

In past elections we have supported taxes that were truly necessary and met our criteria and opposed those that did not. We led a successful effort that defeated a $1.04 billion Tam Union High School tax in the 2024 Primary. In 2020, CST’s insistence on accountability safeguards were key to passage of a County Wildfire Prevention Tax that we endorsed and has made our community safer.

CST EVALUATES

CST pioneered a framework for evaluating tax proposals, our Sensible Tax Criteria. In 2024, we collaborated with civic leaders in developing Bond Measure Guidelines. Many agencies and districts now consider these criteria when developing tax measures. We endorse candidates who share our values.

CST INVESTIGATES

CST scrutinizes the financial reports and forecasts of local agencies and districts, especially when there are concerns about fiscal responsibility, transparency, or compliance with the law. CST serves on many Citizen Oversight Committees throughout Marin.

CST INFORMS

CST keeps the community informed through nonpartisan public forums and webinars about upcoming elections and pressing issues. Marin IJ political columnist Dick Spotswood is frequently an impartial moderator of CST events featuring competing candidates.

Marin County to consider Oak Hill guarantor program

April 16, 2025

This article, written by Richard Halstead, was originally published in the Marin Independent Journal. Marin County supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to take an initial step toward helping to guarantee rental income for a housing project designed to serve educators and county employees. The project, the Village at Oak Hill, envisions construction of 135 apartments […]

Schools Must Refuse to Guarantee Housing Bonds

April 14, 2025

Marin Schools Shouldn’t Risk their Future Finances on Oak Hill Housing Project If you care about the future of Marin’s schools and the children they educate, speak up NOW to oppose the efforts of Marin County and its Office of Education to make school districts financial guarantors of the 135-unit Oak Hill workforce housing project […]

Measure E Tax Calculator

Ross Valley School District is proposing a new parcel tax based on the size of your house. The initial rate would be $.52 per square foot, and increase 3% per year. The tax would expire in nine years.

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Tax and Fee Exemptions & Discounts

Learn how to apply for exemptions and discounts on an array of Marin add-on property taxes and agency fees as well as rates on essential services for Seniors Low & Middle Income People with Disabilities & Medical Conditions.

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