OUR ROLE

ACTA believes that all voters, regardless of political affiliation, are entitled to competent, efficient and transparent local governments that work for them. 

ACTA has a strong interest in exposing tax and accounting gimmicks used by local governments to "balance" budgets and allocate taxpayer dollars.  We will identify the gimmicks as generally used and as applied in specific instances.

1.  Alameda County Taxpayers’ Association, Inc. [ACTA] was incorporated in 1938. No Records remain about ACTA’s activities during the early years. The remaining records show that for many years Mr. Arthur B. Geen, was the Executive Director and the main force in ACTA until his death in 2014. ACTA was inactive for a couple of years until it was revived in 2016. ACTA is registered with the IRS as a 501 C (4) ‘social welfare organization.’
2. According to Wikipedia a 501(c)(4) organization is a social welfare organization, such as a civic organization or a neighborhood association. An organization is considered by the IRS to be operated  exclusively for the promotion of social welfare if it is primarily engaged in promoting the common good and general welfare of the people of the community.  Net earnings must be exclusively used for charitable, educational, or recreational purposes.
3. ACTA is non-partisan, volunteer organization. We encourage members to volunteer monitor local governments for a few minutes each week so that we can be aware of decisions. ACTA uses “pro bono” lawyers to challenge agencies when mischief is discovered.
4. ACTA has a strong interest in correcting diversion of taxes and exposing accountability gimmicks. We encourage voters to reject misleading taxes and require reliable accountability provisions.