Silicon Valley Business Leaders "Disappointed" and "Dismayed" Local Chamber of Commerce Isn't Opposing Business-Killing Measure A Sales Tax
For Immediate Release
September 30, 2025
San Jose, CA
To: SV media
Fr: David Johnson, SVGOP Chair
Contact: chair@svgop.com
Silicon Valley business leaders "disappointed" and "dismayed" local Chamber of Commerce isn't opposing business-killing Measure A sales tax
SVGOP and SV Biz PAC call out SJ Chamber of Commerce for "neutral" stance on 5/8-cent sales tax increase
A wide range of local business leaders, owners, and workers, were astonished last week to discover that the San Jose Chamber of Commerce is refusing to oppose Santa Clara County's Measure A, which aims to levy a 5/8 cent sales tax on the region, bringing the overall sales tax rate in some cities to more than 10%.
"The last I looked, the Chamber of Commerce is supposed to help local business, not hurt it," said David Johnson, chair of the SVGOP. "The failure of the SJ Chamber to take a strong stand in favor of struggling local businesses appalls many local Republicans. And to stay silent on a regressive tax that will negatively impact the less fortunate--businesspeople and residents alike--is a monumental dereliction of duty on the part of the Chamber," Johnson said.
"I am deeply disappointed and dismayed that the Chamber has chosen neutrality at a moment when businesses need its strongest defense against this harmful tax measure," said Tracey Enfantino, former SJ Chamber of Commerce Board member and now chair of the Silicon Valley Business PAC and Board member of the Silicon Valley Business Alliance.
"For decades, local businesses have struggled under the weight of rising taxes, levies, fees, and endless red tape. These businesses look to the Chamber to advocate for them — but today, the Chamber is not showing up. By ignoring more than 62,000 small and mid-sized businesses in San José alone, it has left them to fend for themselves," Enfantino said.
In an email communique to its members the week of September 21, the SJ Chamber of Commerce explained why it is not opposing Measure A thusly:
"After extensive review and discussion, the Chamber Board of Directors has voted to remain neutral on Measure A, the proposed five-year, five-eighths cent sales tax intended to help fill funding gaps in the county’s public hospital system created by H.R. 1.
"This decision reflects our responsibility to represent the full breadth of San Jose’s business and greater community. We heard compelling perspectives both in support of the measure—as an important investment in the services provided by the Santa Clara Health & Hospital system—and in opposition—centered on cost to business and consumer and the delay in establishing an oversight committee to determine how dollars would be used, which was not resolved in time for our vote."
