LOS ANGELES – Backers of a proposed initiative that could dramatically increase taxes on commercial and industrial properties by undoing some protections imposed by 1978’s Proposition 13 submitting thousands of petition signatures Tuesday in hopes of getting the issue before voters in 2020.
Members of Schools and Communities First, the statewide coalition backing the initiative, held news conferences in Los Angeles and other locations around California to announce the submission of about 850,000 signatures to county registrars’ offices. The group needs 585,407 valid signatures to get the proposal on the statewide November 2020 ballot.
The group had initially been trying to get the measure on this November’s ballot, but opted to delay two years.
The initiative would create what is known as a “split roll” system by revamping Prop 13, which imposed limits on annual property tax increases regardless of changes in market value. The initiative would require instead that commercial properties be assessed at current market value, but would maintain the caps for residential property.
Proponents say the California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act would raise up to $11 billion a year, with the proceeds going toward schools and local infrastructure.
The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — the namesake of which authored Proposition 13 — has blasted the proposed initiative as a tax grab. Other opponents, such as state Board of Equalization member George Runner, warned that the idea of a “split roll” would do more harm than good. He noted that if property taxes sharply rise on commercial properties, the owners will pass along the costs to tenants, such as small business owners who will pay the price in terms of increased rent, and those costs will eventually be passed on to consumers.
“The fanciful fiction of split roll is that business owners pay more, yet homeowners will somehow remain unaffected,” Runner said recently. “In truth, when prices rise that burden falls squarely on everyday people. If you’re running a laundromat you can’t absorb dramatic increases in rent. You’d be forced to pass those costs on to your customers.”
A recent report by the state Legislative Analyst’s office found that the measure could generate $6 billion to $10 billion a year. But the report also warned there could be side effects such as businesses relocating or opting not to move to the state in the first place, so the initiative’s actual impact is difficult to assess.
Proponents insist, however, that the measure will close a tax loophole and restore funding for schools and services such as parks, libraries, health clinics, trauma centers, affordable housing and homeless services.
“We can no longer afford to keep giving billions of dollars in tax breaks to millionaires, billionaires and big corporations,” according to proponents.
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Barbara Longmore says
No on higher taxes the young people have high enough rents.Besides we are taxed enough. Leave us alone. Quit taking more and more. My daughter a single mom raising her daughter at private school. Owns her house Don’t tax her house, and my son sharing apt as renting is high. Stop the madness.most 20-35 yr olds still live at home as they can’t afford to be on their own. Help us vote no!
Just wondering says
..if there is an cubicle in Sacramento filled with State employees, whose sole job is to invent new taxes, fees, funds, bonds,etc., etc.. Folks, the funds will come from taxpayers and consumers, as always.
Loam says
Restore funding to schools and services? The state budget is as large as it has ever been. There is a $10 billion surplus. There is NO revenue problem in state finances. These groups just want to grab more money by soaking businesses. It’s about time that we realize that businesses are part of our community, too.
Serena says
Vote NO! on this!
CORY LEWADOSKY says
WE NEED TO TAX REPUBLICANS MORE SO WE CAN TAKE OF OUR HOMELESS POPULATION ANYBODY MAKING OVER 50K A YEAR TOTALLY AGREE WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS
Laughing says
Rather arbitrarily low number to choose. 50K is not much. It is a strain to raise two children on 50k a year. A single family income of 50k with two adults and two children would be about at the poverty level in this grand state. Aim much higher, for this state.
Taxes says
Read My Lips. No More Taxes
Pissed off Laborer says
This is [removed]!
everyday tax payers will pay. Not just bilionairs but people already affected by the energy, water, Gasoline, taxes high rent and this upcoming 25% tax on imports that will either purge small business down to non existance or hike costs even more forcing middle class into poverty and everyone bellow that into wellfare!!! Id reather earn a living than be limited in my own abilities to provide safety and decent home for my children. California liberals want a war!!