Santa Clara County’s sales tax increase passed amid competing ideas on how the money would be used. Now a rift has emerged among proponents — and District Attorney Jeff Rosen said he may investigate a new spending proposal that leaves out law enforcement.
County leaders chiefly characterized the five-eighths-cent sales tax increase, known as Measure A, as a lifeline for their massive public hospital system, which they warned was at risk of falling apart amid unprecedented federal spending cuts under President Donald Trump. But county law enforcement officials and workers only endorsed the tax after saying they gained assurances from the county that their budgets would get a portion of the funds.
Measure A passed by 57% of voters on Nov. 4. Some cities, including San Jose, will see general sales tax rates go up to 10% or higher…