Split-Roll Measure Tests Under 50 Percent In Public Polls: Measure Faces Long Uphill Battle

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) released the results of a recent public poll showing that only 47 percent of likely voters support the split-roll property tax measure qualified for the November 3, 2020 ballot and a strong 45 percent oppose the measure. In the last six months, the measure has dropped a total of seven percentage points since the PPIC tested the same question in April. This marks the third statewide poll in the last two years by the PPIC to find the split-roll property tax measure is supported by fewer than 50 percent of likely voters, a clear indication that the measure faces a long uphill battle.

Furthermore, the PPIC President and CEO Mark Baldassare stated that he consistently finds 60 percent of voters believe Proposition 13 is “a good thing,” showing that the landmark measure remains strongly supported by Californians even after 41 years since its passage.

“For more than four decades, Proposition 13 has provided certainty for all California residents, keeping property tax rates predictable at a time when other taxes continue to rise,” said Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and co-chair of Californians to Stop Higher Property Taxes. “It is no surprise that Californians oppose this assault on Proposition 13 that would result in higher prices for all Californians.”

Just yesterday, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst released its preliminary fiscal analysis of the revised split roll measure, showing that it will now cost Californians as much as $12 billion in higher taxes a year.

“Clearly, the proponents of the flawed split-roll property tax measure have a painful uphill battle ahead; their measure cannot manage to secure even 50 percent support from California voters 15 months ahead of the election,” stated Rob Lapsley, President of the California Business Roundtable and co-chair of Californians to Stop Higher Property Taxes. “We will continue our aggressive campaign to defeat this attack on the most important taxpayer protection Californians have.”

“California small businesses are delighted to see the split-roll property tax initiative failing to gain traction,” said John Kabateck, state director for the National Federation of Independent Business and co-chair of Californians to Stop Higher Property Taxes, “and it’s really no wonder why. Seventy-eight percent of small businesses rent or lease their offices or shops. Without Proposition 13’s protections, property owners will have no choice but to pass along higher property taxes to small businesses by raising rents. Higher property taxes on businesses also mean higher prices for the goods and services we buy every day, impacting all consumers.”