Opponents of a sales tax measure on the November ballot have accused Santa Clara County leaders of improperly urging a yes vote on Measure A , through a taxpayer-funded mailer sent to every household in the county.

At issue is a letter from Santa Clara County Executive James Williams to residents that warned local hospitals and clinics could close as a result of the federal budget cuts approved by President Donald Trump earlier this year. The letter arrived in mailboxes last week — just as voters are deciding on Measure A , a 0.625% sales tax increase touted by county leaders as a way to keep hospitals open and soften the blow of those federal cuts.

“It’s a covert, sleight of hand campaign that they’re running,” said Rishi Kumar, the former mayor of Saratoga who is chairing the No on

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