Public Resources

Proposition and Measure Research Sites

Our ballots have arrived, and while most know the candidates, often there are propositions and measures on the ballot that can be confusing. I will be updating this page with each election to give you places to research these items before you vote.

Milpitas City Measure

Measure F
Measure F is a ¼ cent local sales tax and would cost one penny for every $4 spent. According to city reports, approximately half of Measure F would be paid by visitors to Milpitas. Food purchased as groceries and prescription medication would be exempt from Measure F.

City of Milpitas Public Services Measure. To provide funding to maintain the City’s finances and services, including: police and fire protection, 9-1-1 emergency response, and natural disaster preparation; youth, senior, and recreation services; repairing park equipment and maintaining parks and recreation centers; and attracting and retaining location businesses; shall the measure, establishing a 1/4¢ sales tax, providing approximately $6,500,000 annually for 8 years, requiring independent audits, citizens’ oversight committee, all funds spent locally, be adopted?

The minimum combined 2020 sales tax rate for Milpitas, California is 9% before this new sales tax. This is the total of state, county and city sales tax rates. The California sales tax rate is currently 6%. The County sales tax rate is 3%. Milpitas does not currently collect any sales taxes other than what the county distributes to us. The City does need a new source of income. We have been relying on hotel taxes and property taxes. We turned down having Marijuana Dispensaries, which would have probably more than made up this amount of tax revenue. So if you voted against having dispensaries you should vote FOR this tax. If you voted to allow dispensaries here, you may want to vote NO to force the issue to come up again.

Currently, only the following Santa Clara County cities collect more than 9%

  • Alviso, 9.250%
  • Campbell, 9.250%
  • Los Gatos, 9.125%
  • San Jose, 9.250%

Next door, Fremont, in Alameda County, currently collects 9.250%. All Alameda county cities collect either 9.250% or 9.750%. Source for this info by sorting at the site: California City & County Sales & Use Tax Rates (effective October 1, 2020). Currently Milpitas has a sales tax advantage over its closest neighbors. A 1/4% sales tax might affect consumers shopping for high priced items. Piercy would no longer have an advantage over dealerships in San Jose or Fremont.

Tran, Phan make case for quarter-cent tax measure
Tran and Phan have teamed up to push their case for Measure F, a quarter-cent tax increase measure set to appear before Milpitas residents on this November’s ballot. Should the measure pass, the duo says, it will keep emergency response times low, keep city services open, and establish more COVID-19 testing opportunities for the city.

Pros & Cons

State Propositions

Propositions on 2020 Ballot

League of women Voters of California Ballot Recommendations
Easy Voter Guide
Gives simple explanations of white vote yes or no on each state proposition. From the League of Women Voters.

Propositions are proposed laws presented to the public to vote on. Propositions can make new laws, change existing laws, and sometimes they change California’s Constitution. They can be placed on the ballot by people who collect enough voter signatures or by state lawmakers (the California Legislature). A proposition passes and becomes law
if it receives more than 50 percent YES votes.

Propositions 14 through 24 are “initiatives.” For an initiative:
* A YES vote means that you support the way the proposition would change things.
* A NO vote means that you want to leave things the way they are now.

Proposition 25 is a “referendum,” which asks voters to decide on a law that was already passed. For a referendum:
* A YES vote means that you support the law and want to keep it.
* A NO vote means you do not want the law to go into effect.

LWV Pros & Cons
More detailed arguments for the Propostions. California voters will also be deciding on 12 state propositions that are explained in this Pros & Cons. Four of the propositions were placed on the ballot by the state legislature, seven of them were placed on the ballot by supporters who gathered sufficient signatures and seek to make changes in state laws or
the California Constitution, and one is a referendum that seeks to overturn an existing law, and was also placed on the ballot by supporters who gathered sufficient signatures.


California 2020 props explained in 1-minute videos
Want a quick introduction to the dozen measures on your November ballot? This playlist gives you a 60-second description of each — just play the first one and the rest will automatically play afterward. The Props-in-a-Minute playlist, produced by CalMatters’ reporting team, covers the array of subjects voters will be asked to decide this fall.


California ballot propositions explained | Election 2020
Here’s what voters need to know about the propositions on the California ballot this November — including measures involving affirmative action and consumer privacy and one that would allow parolees to vote. The LA Times explain each measure in a minute. By MAGGIE BEIDELMAN, CODY LONG, YADIRA FLORES, JESSICA Q. CHEN, ALBERT BRAVE TIGER LEE, OCT. 5, 2020

What’s On The Ballot? Here’s A Look At California’s 2020 Propositions
Yes, there will be a dozen different propositions for California voters this year — Prop. 14 through Prop. 25 — on everything from expanding rent control to ending the ban on affirmative action. While we at CapRadio will be reporting on these more up until Nov. 3, we wanted to give you a quick overview now on what each measure covers and what a “yes” or “no” vote will mean. Includes CapRadio reporters talking about propositions. CapRadio is a Sacramento radio station.

Spending on CA2020 Propositions
2020 Ballot Measure Contribution Totals
Committees supporting or opposing the following ballot measures have reported total contributions on specified reports, which have been compiled into a total amount of contributions in support or opposition to the ballot measure. From the Secretary of State’s Office. See who is spending big money on the propositions. Are these groups you generally agree with or not?

November 3, 2020, Primary Election Ballot

More Campaign Finance Data

Courage California, a Progressive Voters’ Guide
Group has taken positions (or not) on the Propostions for California on th e2020 ballot.

California Pro-Family Election Center
This is where you can get reliable facts and perspective and advice about how to vote for moral, social, fiscal conservative and constitutional values in California. Bible-based recommendations. Recommends to vote No on all local tax measures.

SF Chronicle Voter Guide
Your guide to the ballot measures, propositions and races that Bay Area voters are deciding. Owned by Hearst family, but they are no longer in full editorial control.

California propositions: What you should know before voting from the Mercury News
Of the 12 measures on this year’s ballot, some may feel very familiar, while others are are all new.

Equality California
The nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, announced endorsements of five 2020 statewide ballot measures and opposition to one measure on Wednesday afternoon. The organization previously endorsed the Schools and Communities First Initiative (Proposition 15) on January 27, 2020. Equality California has endorsed the following November 2020 statewide ballot measures:

  • Proposition 14 – Stem Cell Research, Treatments and Cures Initiative
  • Proposition 15 – Schools and Communities First Initiative
  • Proposition 16 – Opportunity for All Constitutional Amendment
  • Proposition 17 – Voting Rights for People on Parole Amendment
  • Proposition 18 – Primary Voting for 17-Year-Olds Amendment
  • Proposition 25 – End Money Bail Referendum

Equality California opposes the following November 2020 statewide ballot measure:

  • Proposition 20 – >Criminal Sentencing, Parole and DNA Collection Initiative

For a complete list of Equality California’s 2020 endorsements, please visit eqca.org/elections.

Flag Display


Should you fly the US flag at half staff today? Check the image above. There need be no authorization from the government for the private sector (non-governmental sector) to use the Flag to honor any citizen. Individuals are not acting illegally when using the Flag according to their own usage. Only on government or public buildings are the flag code required to be followed.

United States Code

TITLE 36 – PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES AND OBSERVANCES

CHAPTER 10 – PATRIOTIC CUSTOMS

Please note that these are US flag display rules and customs, not laws, for its use by civilians. Military flag display is different.

Flag Etiquette

ß 173: Display and use of flag by civilians; codification of rules and customs; definition

The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States of America is established for the use of such civilians or civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the Government of the United States. The flag of the United States for the purposes of this chapter shall be defined according to sections 1 and 2 of Title 4 and Executive Order 10834 issued pursuant thereto.

ß 174: Time and occasions for display; hoisting and lowering

  1. It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
  2. The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
  3. The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed.
  4. The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on:
    New Year’s Day – (January 1)
    Inauguration Day – (January 20)
    Lincoln’s Birthday – (February 12)
    Washington’s Birthday – (third Monday in February)
    Easter Sunday – (variable)
    Mother’s Day – (second Sunday in May)
    Armed Forces Day – (third Saturday in May)
    Memorial Day {half-staff until noon} – (last Monday in May)
    Flag Day – (June 14)
    Independence Day – (July 4)
    Labor Day – (first Monday in September)
    Columbus Day – (second Monday in October)
    Navy Day – (October 27)
    Veterans Day – (November 11)
    Thanksgiving Day – (fourth Thursday in November)
    Christmas Day – (December 25)
    Other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States
    Birthdays of States (date of admission)
    State holidays
  5. The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution.
  6. The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election days.
  7. The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse.

ß 175: Position and manner of display

The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag’s own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.

  1. The flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade except from a staff, or as provided in subsection (i) of this section.
  2. The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
  3. No other flag or pennant should be placed above, or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy. No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag equal, above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any Territory or possession thereof: Provided, That nothing in this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the practice heretofore followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations in a position of superior prominence or honor, and other national flags in positions of equal prominence or honor, with that of the flag of the United States at the headquarters of the United Nations.
  4. The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag’s own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
  5. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
  6. When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag’s right.
  7. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
  8. When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.
  9. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observer’s left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
  10. When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.
  11. When used on a speaker’s platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman’s or speaker’s right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience.
  12. The flag should form a distinctive feature of the ceremony of unveiling a statue or monument, but it should never be used as the covering for the statue or monument.
  13. The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff.

The flag shall be flown at half-staff thirty days from the death of the President or a former President; ten days from the death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until internment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day.

As used in this subsection –

  1. the term “half-staff” means the position of the flag when it is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff;
  2. the term “executive or military department” means any agency listed under sections 101 and 102 of title 5; and
  3. the term “Member of Congress” means a Senator, a Representative, a Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner for Puerto Rico.
  • When the Flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
  • When the flag is suspended across a corridor or lobby in a building with only one main entrance, it should be suspended vertically with the union of the flag to the observer’s left upon entering. If the building has more than one main entrance, the flag should be suspended vertically near the center of the corridor or lobby with the union to the north, when entrances are to the east and west or to the east when entrances are to the north and south. If there are entrances in more than two directions, the union should be to the east.

ß 176: Respect for flag

No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

  1. The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
  2. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
  3. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
  4. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker’s desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
  5. The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
  6. The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
  7. The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
  8. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
  9. The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkin or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
  10. No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
  11. The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

ß 177: Conduct during hoisting, lowering or passing of flag

During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.

ß 178: Modification of rules and customs by President

Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of the flag of the United States of America, set forth in section 171-178 of this title, may be altered, modified, or repealed, or additional rules with respect thereto may be prescribed, by the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, whenever he deems it to be appropriate or desirable; and any such alteration or additional rule shall be set forth in a proclamation.

The complete source for the US Code

Other Flag Links

Flag laws in the United States
A ruling from the US Supreme Court about banning flags
Flying earlier versions of the US flag
Using the flag for advertising
Executive Ordered 24 Hour Displays
Forbidden flags

Flag Rules and Regulations
Independence Hall has an animated flag showing how to fold the flag. It also illustrates what I have here on this page. You can also order a flag on this site.

State Flags
Flags of the United States
An excellent collection of clip art of the flags of each state.

Flying & Displaying Multiple Flags
Often times at corporate offices, government buildings, or even small businesses, several flags are displayed at once. The US Flag Code establishes protocol on how to properly fly more than one flag at a time.

National Flag Day Foundation
Flag day is June 14th. Pledge of Allegiance.

Stromberg v. People of State of California
The appellant was convicted in the superior court of San Bernardino county, California, for violation of [283 U.S. 359, 361] section 403a of the Penal Code of that State.

Half Staff American Flag Notifications
Search results on “flag at half-staff.”

Telephone Numbers for City of Milpitas

City Government Phone Directory

455 East Calaveras Boulevard
Milpitas, California 95035
Tel: 408-586-3000
Fax: 408-586-3056

Telephone numbers for City of Milpitas government contacts, services and information.

Services & Information Phone (408)
Abandoned Vehicles 408-586-2400
Animals – Dead animal pickup on streets 408-586-2600
Athletic Facilities – field prep, lighting 408-586-2661
Building Inspection Requests 408-586-2797
Building Permits, Building & Safety 408-586-3240
Business License 408-586-3100

City Hall General Information

408-586-3000

City Attorney 408-586-3041
City Clerk 408-586-3001
City Manager 408-586-3051
Code Enforcement 408-586-3279
Community Center/Recreation 408-586-3210
Council Agenda HOTLINE 408-586-3010
Council Office 408-586-3026
Crime Tip Line 408-586-2500
Disaster Preparedness 408-586-2810
Dump 408-432-0444
Earthquake Safety Information 408-586-2810
Economic Development 408-586-3052
Emergencies – Fire, Police, Paramedics 911
Engineering 408-586-3300
Finance 408-586-3100
Fire Administration 408-586-2800
Fire Prevention 408-586-3365
Fire Emergency ONLY 911
Garbage/Water/Sewer Billing & Service 408-586-3100
Graffiti Hot Line 408-586-3079
Housing Rehab Loan Program 408-586-3286
Human Resources – Jobs 408-586-3090
Junk Cars/Private Property 408-586-3078
Library 408-262-1171
Maintenance Services

Animal Services
Bus Stop Cleaning
Fire Hydrant Flushing
Flooding
General Information
Light Reporting
Protected Tree Removal Permits
Pot Holes
Sewer Backup
Sidewalk Repair
Storm Drain Cleaning
Street Lights
Street Signs
Street Sweeping
Street Trees
Traffic Signals
Tree Removal
Water/Sewer problems

408-586-2600
Mayor’s Office 408-586-3029
Neighborhood Beautification 408-586-3074
Noise (Police Services) 408-586-2400
Office of Emergency Services 408-586-2800
Passport Hotline 408-586-3009
Planning & Zoning 408-586-3279
Police Business & Services 408-586-2400
Police Emergency ONLY 911
Public Access TV-Channel 15 408-586-2730
Public Works 408-586-2600
Purchasing 408-586-3161
Recreation Service 408-586-3210
Recycling & Garbage Collection – Billing Service 408-586-3100
Recycling & Garbage Collection – Commercial 408-432-1234
Recycling & Garbage Collection – Residential 408-432-0444
Recycling, Reduce, Reuse Info 408-586-2680
Senior Center 408-586-3400
Sports Center 408-586-3225
TDD: City Hall 408-586-3013
Community Center/Recreation 408-586-3208
Finance 408-586-3081
Police Dept 408-586-2484
Senior Center 408-586-2784
Sports Center 408-586-3231
Utilities (Street Lights, Trees, Water, Sewer, Problems) 408-586-3100
Utilities Emergencies (after hours) 408-586-2400
Water Billing Questions 408-586-3100
Water Emergencies – Business Hours 408-586-2600
Water Emergencies – After Hours 408-586-2400
Water HOTLINE 408-586-2605
Water Quality Questions 408-586-3348
Water Waste, Drought Questions 408-586-2666

Graffiti Terminators

Graffiti Terminators
Storage Shed for paints to cover graffiti

Graffiti Terminators
Volunteers Needed
Individuals 16 or older
Teams of an Adult and Youth under 16
Call Chris Challer for information: 408-586-3078

Volunteers called “The Terminators” are available to cover graffiti on private property FREE of charge as long as it is accessible and no more than 6 feet off the ground. Volunteers use neutral colors that may not match existing paint, however, if you already have matching paint, you may supply it for the use of the volunteers on your property. To request volunteer services and obtain a waiver, please call (408) 586-3078.  The City also welcomes new volunteers.

Tired of Graffiti in Your Neighborhood?  The City of Milpitas needs your HELP!  Become a Volunteer Graffiti Terminator today!  All paint and equipment will be supplied. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.  Please call Milpitas Volunteer Services at 408-586-2787

Graffiti Hotline: 408-586-3079

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