Category: Press Releases

PROP 15 DEFEATED BY CALIFORNIA VOTERS

Posted on by Jon

Largest Property Tax Increase in California History Rejected by More Than 3.5%

SACRAMENTO, CA – Proposition 15, the largest property tax increase in California history, was defeated today by a margin of more than 550,000 votes, ending a challenge by Service Employees International Union, California Teachers Association, California State Parent Teacher Association and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to dismantle major portions of Proposition 13, the greatest tax protection measure left in the highest taxed state in the country overwhelmingly passed by voters more than 40 years ago.

“From day one, we knew that if voters understood the harm this deeply flawed tax hike would impose on California’s economy and its families, farmers and small businesses, voters would reject this ill-advised effort,” said Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable and co-chair of the No on Prop 15 campaign. “Today’s victory should send a clear message to the proponents and warn all politicians that voters will continue to reject attempts to dismantle Prop 13.”

“California voters understood the very real threat Proposition 15 presented to small businesses, farmers and consumers,” said Allan Zaremberg, president and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce. “Voters in California smartly recognized that enacting the largest tax hike in California history would have been devastating to jobs, our economy and California’s future competitiveness.”

The robust opposition effort to defeat Prop 15 included a broad and diverse coalition which came together to educate voters about Prop 15’s many flaws and real-world impacts of an $11.5 billion per year tax increase. The main No on Prop 15 committee was led by the California Business Roundtable, the California Business Properties Association, the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Taxpayers Association.  The bipartisan coalition, one of the most diverse coalitions ever assembled, also included social justice and civil rights organizations including the California State Conference of the NAACP, California State National Action Network, Latino groups, veterans, local chambers of commerce, private-sector labor unions and hundreds of small businesses across California.

“Across California, voters in the vast majority of counties cast their ballots in opposition to Prop 15,” added Rob Gutierrez, president of the California Taxpayers Association. “What’s clear from the data so far is Prop 15 lost in 43 of California’s 58 counties. Democrats, Republicans and independents understood the importance of protecting jobs and keeping consumer costs down, and joined together to reject this measure.”

Rex Hime, president and CEO of the California Business Properties Association added, “Small businesses and property owners now have the opportunity to focus on making ends meet instead of formulating plans to close their doors. I am optimistic that Californians are getting wise to the game of being told that a tax does not impact them.  Every tax gets passed along or increases the cost of everyday goods and services.  And that was certainly the case with Prop. 15.”

Additional opposition efforts were organized by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, Family Farmers Against Prop 15, led by the California Farm Bureau Federation, Agricultural Council of California and Western Growers Association, as well as The Alliance of California’s Farmers and Ranchers, an association of commodity groups including dairies and the rice industry.

“Farmers can breathe a little easier this evening knowing their hard work made the difference to turn back the largest property tax increase in California history which would have created havoc for family farmers and ranchers across our state,” added California Farm Bureau Federation president Jamie Johansson, which formed the Family Farmers Against Prop 15 coalition. “For months we’ve said Prop 15 would hurt farmers, ranchers and ultimately all families through higher prices. What’s clear from these results is that more than 8 million California voters recognized this reality and agreed with our efforts to stop this ill-advised initiative.”

Prop 15 also suffered from significant flaws that could destabilize the entire property tax administration system, leading the California Assessors’ Association that represents the local elected officials charged with implementing many of Prop 15’s provisions to oppose the measure.

“Prop 15 was a direct assault on Prop 13’s protections that have provided certainty and stability to property owners throughout California. Prop 15’s proponents, many of the same special interest groups that opposed Prop 13 in 1978, should think long and hard about targeting property owners in the future,” concluded Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which has spent decades promoting and protecting Prop 13.

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ABOUT NO ON PROP 15 – STOP HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES AND SAVE PROP 13
No on Prop 15 – Stop Higher Property Taxes and Save Prop 13, a bipartisan coalition of homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses, has been fighting to protect Prop 13 and oppose a split-roll property tax for more than a decade. For more information, please visit www.NOonProp15.org.

No on Prop 15 Campaign Issues Election Night Statement

Posted on by Marie

SACRAMENTO, CA – Michael Bustamante, spokesperson for the No on Prop 15 Campaign issued the following statement in response to the Proposition 15 Election Night results:

“Thanks to what is expected to be near-historic turnout, we anticipated that we would not know the outcome of Prop 15 on Election Night. No on Prop 15 has held a slight lead all night and we continue to be optimistic that growing opposition to Prop 15 seen in recent polls will ultimately drive us to victory when all of the votes are counted.”

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ABOUT NO ON PROP 15 – STOP HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES AND SAVE PROP 13
No on Prop 15 – Stop Higher Property Taxes and Save Prop 13, a bipartisan coalition of homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses, has been fighting to protect Prop 13 and oppose a split-roll property tax for more than a decade. For more information, please visit www.NOonProp15.org.

ICYMI: 30 Newspapers Across California Urge Voters to Reject Proposition 15

Posted on by Jon

SACRAMENTO, CA – In a show of force, 30 newspapers across California have urged their readers to vote no on Proposition 15, the $11.5 billion-a-year property tax increase on the November ballot. The newspapers cite concerns about raising taxes on small businesses struggling to survive the pandemic, higher costs for consumers during an unprecedented economic crisis, among many other reasons to vote no on Prop 15.

Read excerpts from the newspapers below:

Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Torrance Daily Breeze, Pasadena Star-News, Press-Telegram, Riverside Press-Enterprise, San Bernardino Sun, Whittier Daily News, Redlands Daily Facts, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin:

“Passing Proposition 15 would pummel California’s economy at the very worst time. … It must never be forgotten that when taxes go up, there are downstream consequences. This measure would raise the cost of living, as grocery stores, retailers and other businesses face higher costs. Increases to California’s cost of living fall hardest on those with less means. With about one-in-five Californians living in poverty even before the pandemic, the regressive impacts of this measure will be significant.”

San Jose Mercury News, East Bay Times, Marin Independent Journal, Lake County Record-Bee:

“The higher taxes in many cases would be passed on to the tenants of those commercial and industrial property owners. In short, it’s a tax on businesses, often small businesses, at a time when they can least afford it.”

San Diego Union-Tribune:

“Vote no on Prop. 15. A vast tax hike during a deep recession is a crazy idea.”

Santa Cruz Sentinel:

“…a tax on big businesses will in many cases just result in property owners passing along the increase to small businesses that lease or rent their space. To say the very least, this would create a new burden on small businesses that are already reeling from the economic effects of the pandemic. Another consequence: Businesses likely would also pass along the increase to consumers in the form of higher prices.”

Santa Barbara News-Press:

“For decades, Prop. 13 has prevented people from losing their family homes and businesses. It also protected the elderly, living on fixed incomes so they would not be taxed out of their residence.”

Santa Rosa Press Democrat:

“…nothing in Proposition 15 stops commercial landlords from passing the cost to tenants, including small business owners. Indeed, many business leases include charges for property taxes.”

San Luis Obispo Tribune, Fresno Bee:

“Property owners could simply pass on the tax increases to their tenants, causing even more business closures and job losses.”

Bakersfield Californian:

“…Proposition 15 will kick California businesses while they are down and likely will result in even more job losses.”

Chico Enterprise-Record:

“And you know the “wealthy corporations” aren’t going to eat the tax hike. Let’s use a middle number of $10 billion. They’re going to pass that on to you. Each Californian’s share would be about $250 a year if it fell out evenly. It won’t. The rich with their clever accountants will pay less, and the poor will pay more.”

Palo Alto Daily Post:

“Promoters say they’re just taxing big corporations to pay for schools. But many small businesses have “triple net” leases that require them to pay the rent plus utilities, insurance and all other costs including property taxes. So Prop. 15 will hit the corner deli, neighborhood dry cleaner and mom-and-pop grocery with a stiff tax increase. This will crush the small businesses who managed to survive the Covid lockdown. If you care about preserving neighborhood retail, you’ll vote “no” on Prop. 15.”

The Desert Sun:

“Raising taxes now is the last thing struggling businesses and our millions of currently unemployed or underemployed workers need, and likely will send many that still hope for a financial future to seek greener pastures in other states.”

San Mateo Daily Journal:

“This measure ostensibly would not raise taxes on small businesses but there would be pass-through taxes and those businesses with triple net leases would be seriously affected.”

Redlands Community News:
“Many property owners would pay more and would pass much of those increases to their customers or to their tenants, who would pass the increases on to their customers — meaning us.”

Oroville Mercury-Register:

“Prop. 15: No”

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All Californians Will See Higher Food Prices Unless Prop 15 is Defeated

Posted on by Marie

‘Farm to Fork’ Community Highlights How Largest Property Tax Increase in California History Will Hurt Consumers at Worst Possible Time 

SACRAMENTO, CA – Putting to rest any notion that Prop 15 protects farmers and ranchers, representatives from multiple steps along the food distribution process – literally from farm to fork – held a socially-distanced event today at a Sacramento farm, highlighting how Californians’ favorite food products will cost more unless Prop 15, the state’s largest ever property tax increase, is defeated. Participants gathered in person to explain to California voters how Prop 15’s proponents are knowingly providing false information about agricultural products. Ultimately, Prop 15’s agricultural flaw will lead hard-working Californians, most of whom are struggling from the worst economic crisis in a generation, to incur higher costs for food and other essentials.

“It’s clear that Prop 15’s authors went out of their way to deceive voters about the tax hike’s impact on farmers and ranchers,” said Shannon Douglass, a Glenn County farmer and First Vice President of the California Farm Bureau Federation. “While agricultural land isn’t taxed, every structure on that land is – barns, processing plants, mature fruit and nut trees and grape vines. Everything from farm to table will cost more money if Prop 15 passes, ultimately driving up the costs we pay to buy California-grown products.”

“Prop 15 will destroy Prop 13 and hurt our state’s farmers at a time when the nation relies on California – grown food now more than ever,” stated Greg Van Dyke, owner of VA Farms Trucking, a distributor of rice, stone fruit, and other commodities in Northern California, and founding president of Cultivating Change Foundation, the largest LGBT-agriculture organization in the United States. “As a fifth-generation farmer deeply committed to sustainability and feeding our state, I urge all Californians to say no to the flawed property increase ballot measure this November.”

While Prop 15 exempts agricultural land, it fails to protect the fixtures and improvements on that land that make farming possible. This flaw will impact families in a major way because Prop 15’s higher property taxes will hit a product multiple times as it moves from the field to the processing center to the distributor and finally to the grocery store or restaurant.

“As the assessor for the largest farming county in the United States, I know a thing or two about how property taxes are applied. Prop 15 will lead to family farms paying higher property taxes that customers will ultimately pay. There is no controversy about the fact that Prop 15 will significantly raise taxes on farmers and ranchers’ property,” added Paul Dictos, assessor for Fresno County.

According to research from USC, more than 1 in 4 Los Angeles County households experienced food insecurity this spring with women, low-income families and Latinos most impacted. Prop 15’s negative impact on the cost of living and higher costs for food will exacerbate an already bad situation for millions of families struggling to make ends meet.

“There could not be a worse time to raise property taxes on farmers and make food more expensive to deliver to communities across the state. Prop 15’s devastating cost of living increases will harm vulnerable communities the most,” concluded Michael Kelley, an almond huller and processor who also serves as President/CEO of the Central California Almond Growers Association. “California’s farming community is proud to be part of the food desert solution, but Prop 15 will threaten access to fresh and healthy California-grown products for communities and families already struggling to make ends meet.”

“At today’s press conference, we heard from the farmer who grows the food, the processor who gets it ready to go to market, the person who transports it and now me who serves it to you – the consumer,” added Patrick Mulvaney, chef/owner of Mulvaney’s B&L in Sacramento. “Prop 15’s taxes don’t start with me – it starts with the farmer or the rancher – and it will ultimately work its way down to my restaurant and your kitchen table.”

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ABOUT NO ON PROP 15 – STOP HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES AND SAVE PROP 13
No on Prop 15 – Stop Higher Property Taxes and Save Prop 13, a bipartisan coalition of homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses, has been fighting to protect Prop 13 and oppose a split-roll property tax for more than a decade. For more information, please visit www.NOonProp15.org.

NO ON PROP 15 CAMPAIGN RESPONDS TO LATEST PPIC POLL SHOWING CONTINUED DECLINE IN SUPPORT FOR THE LARGEST PROPERTY TAX HIKE IN CALIFORNIA HISTORY

Posted on by Marie

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Public Policy Institute of California released its fourth poll on Proposition 15, which showed support for Prop 15 continuing to decline, dropping below the 50% vote threshold. The latest results represent a 2% decline in voter support and a significant 5% increase in voter opposition to the property tax increase from September’s PPIC poll.

“The PPIC’s latest poll, which shows a continued drop in support, validates what the No on Prop 15 campaign has said for months: the more voters learn that Prop 15 is the largest property tax hike in California history, will adversely impact farmers and small businesses, and is the first step by Prop 15 supporters to undo Prop 13’s protections for homeowners, the more voters are inclined to reject Prop 15,” said Michael Bustamante, spokesperson for the No on Prop 15 campaign.

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ABOUT NO ON PROP 15 – STOP HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES AND SAVE PROP 13
No on Prop 15 – Stop Higher Property Taxes and Save Prop 13, a bipartisan coalition of homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses, has been fighting to protect Prop 13 and oppose a split-roll property tax for more than a decade. For more information, please visit www.NOonProp15.org.

ICYMI: State’s Farmers and Ranchers Would Be Hurt by Prop 15

Posted on by Jon

Newspapers from California’s Farming Communities Overwhelmingly Oppose Massive Tax Increase

SACRAMENTO, CA – Despite false claims from Prop 15’s proponents that farms are protected, newspapers across California representing rural, agricultural communities are urging their readers to vote no on the largest property tax increase in California history. These papers join the California Farm Bureau Federation, California Cattlemen’s Association, Western United Dairies, California Citrus Mutual, California Fresh Fruit Association, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Western Agricultural Processors Association and local farm bureaus across California in opposing the $11.5 billion-a-year property tax increase that would devastate family farms and increase the cost of food for families.

“It’s clear that Prop 15’s authors went out of their way to deceive voters about the tax hike’s impact on farmers and ranchers,” said Shannon Douglass, a Glenn County farmer and 1st Vice President of the California Farm Bureau Federation. “While agricultural land isn’t taxed, every structure on that land is – barns, processing plants, mature fruit and nut trees, grape vines – with the end result being that everything from farm to table will cost more money.”

Read excerpts from the newspapers below:

Chico Enterprise-Record:

“The proposed law also poses a major threat to agriculture, although it claims to exempt farming from the tax hike. However, every reference to agriculture in the text specifically mentions just the land as being exempt. As buildings, machinery and equipment are considered taxable property, it sure seems like reassessment of barns, processing plants, and conceivably even orchards would be allowed. The state Farm Bureau Federation is understandably opposed. So are we.”

Modesto Bee:

“…this isn’t the right time. Property owners could simply pass on tax increases to their tenants, causing even more business closures and job losses when we’re already at a tipping point due to COVID-19.”

Fresno Bee:

“Property owners could simply pass on the tax increases to their tenants, causing even more business closures and job losses.”

Bakersfield Californian:

“…Proposition 15 will kick California businesses while they are down and likely will result in even more job losses.”

Lake County Record-Bee:

“The higher taxes in many cases would be passed on to the tenants of those commercial and industrial property owners. In short, it’s a tax on businesses, often small businesses, at a time when they can least afford it.”

Santa Rosa Press Democrat:

“…nothing in Proposition 15 stops commercial landlords from passing the cost to tenants, including small business owners. Indeed, many business leases include charges for property taxes.”

Redlands Community News:

“Many property owners would pay more and would pass much of those increases to their customers or to their tenants, who would pass the increases on to their customers — meaning us.”

Oroville Mercury-Register:

“Prop. 15: No”

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ICYMI: California Cattlemen’s Association: “Fewer choices, higher prices are headed your way unless Prop. 15 is defeated”

Posted on by Marie

SACRAMENTO, CA – Mark Lacy, president of the California Cattlemen’s Association, penned an opinion piece in the San Joaquin Valley Sun opposing Proposition 15, the largest property tax increase in California history. Lacy cited concerns that the $11.5 billion-a-year property tax measure will devastate family-owned ranches and ultimately lead to higher prices for meat, cheese, eggs and produce for California families.

Read excerpts from “Fewer choices, higher prices are headed your way unless Prop. 15 is defeated” published in the San Joaquin Valley Sun below: 

“Grocery bills will get more expensive, the cost of living will rise, ranchers will go out of business and our state’s economic recovery will move at a glacial pace.

“These would be just some of Proposition 15’s devastating impacts. As a rancher, I urge California voters to reject Prop 15 in November.

“Otherwise, every Californian will pay for the largest property tax increase in California history, even as we deal with COVID-19 and an unprecedented economic crisis.

“Ranches in California are family businesses. Ranches across the state are currently tended by fifth- or sixth-generation ranchers carrying on the family tradition of providing responsibly-raised, nutritious beef to California consumers…

“Prop. 15 will devastate farmers and ranchers by increasing property taxes on agricultural buildings and improvements, including basically everything that is required to move food from farm to fork. Structures like barns and feedlots will be heavily taxed; even fruit trees and grape vines will be subject to higher property taxes.

“The result is that families throughout California will pay more for meat, cheese, eggs, produce and virtually every other agricultural product at a time when many can least afford it.

“Proposition 15 will even increase property taxes on solar panels and methane digesters, effectively punishing farmers and ranchers for proactively undertaking responsible environmental stewardship…

“California ranchers and farmers could lose as much as $8.6 billion in 2020, according to a study by the California Farm Bureau Federation…

“The prospect of eliminating agriculture’s Prop 13-guaranteed tax protections could not come at a worse time. Prop 15, unless defeated, will be the final blow to many ranchers, farmers and our employees.”

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ABOUT NO ON PROP 15 – STOP HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES AND SAVE PROP 13
No on Prop 15 – Stop Higher Property Taxes and Save Prop 13, a bipartisan coalition of homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses, has been fighting to protect Prop 13 and oppose a split-roll property tax for more than a decade. For more information, please visit www.NOonProp15.org.

15 Ways Prop 15 Will Cost Everyday Californians

Posted on by Jon

With 15 Days until Election Day, Here’s How Californians Can Expect a Higher Cost of Living Under Prop 15

SACRAMENTO, CA – As Election Day nears, it is becoming more evident with each passing day that Prop 15’s $11.5 billion property tax increase, the largest property tax increase in California history, will be paid by small businesses and consumers—not large corporations and wealthy landowners. That’s because small business tenants are often required to pay property taxes in their lease agreements. Small business tenants will have no choice but to pay the skyrocketing property tax bill and pass on higher costs to consumers, with some even going out of business. 

Studies from the California State Conference of the NAACP, Berkeley Research Group, and Pepperdine University conclude that taxes like Prop 15 will raise the cost of living. Whether it’s everyday essentials like groceries for the pantry or a family night out, the cost of the largest property tax increase in state history will ultimately be paid by consumers.

“Based on my existing lease, my neighborhood restaurant is responsible for half of the property tax bill for our building, which means my cost could increase six-fold,” said Laurie Thomas, owner of two restaurants in San Francisco and executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association in San Francisco. “Add to that the increased cost of providing PPE, costs of building outside seating, and the increases in food supplier costs, and this will significantly stress our limited finances, putting in jeopardy our ability to continue to operate.”

Here are 15 areas Californians will pay more unless voters reject Prop 15:

1.     Utility Bills
2.     Healthcare
3.     Daycare Centers
4.     Clothing
5.     Grocery Stores
6.     Farmer’s Markets
7.     Restaurants
8.     Local coffee shops
9.     Gas Stations
10.   Wineries
11.   Breweries
12.   Book Stores
13.   Barbershops & Nail Salons
14.   Gyms
15.   Movie Theaters, Bowling Alleys & Kids Entertainment Centers

And we know from 42-years of statements by Prop 15’s authors that homeowners will be next!

For example, Prop 15’s impact on the cost of food compounds as a product goes from farm to processing to the consumer—creating higher costs every step along the way.

“Under Prop 15, California farmers will face higher property taxes-and families will face higher prices for food as the increase in taxes from the farm through processing, distribution, and our neighborhood grocery stores. Ultimately, the measure could lead to fewer California-grown food choices and higher costs for families,” said Jamie Johansson, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation.

Prop 15’s flawed design means that virtually every industry will be impacted and will see their costs rise which will be passed along to their customers.

“California’s cost of living is already among the nation’s highest,” concluded John Kabateck, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business – California. “With an $11.5 billion tax increase, all of us will pay for Prop 15’s massive tax hike. With millions out of work, this tax measure could not come at a worse time for families.”

Follow the NO on Prop 15 Facebook page for the next 15 days to learn each day how the cost of living will rise under Prop 15.

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ABOUT NO ON PROP 15 – STOP HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES AND SAVE PROP 13
No on Prop 15 – Stop Higher Property Taxes and Save Prop 13, a bipartisan coalition of homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses, has been fighting to protect Prop 13 and oppose a split-roll property tax for more than a decade. For more information, please visit www.NOonProp15.org.

 

ICYMI: San Diego Military Advisory Council Opposes Prop 15

Posted on by Jon

Organization committed to partnership between military, elected officials and business community is the latest veteran group to oppose the largest property tax increase in state history

SACRAMENTO, CA – The San Diego Military Advisory Council announced its opposition to Proposition 15—the $11.5 billion property tax increase. They join a growing coalition of small business, military and veteran organizations who are opposing the largest property tax increase in state history.

San Diego Military Advisory Council is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization with a mission to support and promote the mutual business and other interests of the military, their quality of life, and the defense community in the San Diego area.

Read excerpts from the San Diego Military Advisory Council’s announcement below:

“‘Generations of former military members have been able to start successful small businesses here in San Diego that provide jobs for veterans and the community.’  

“‘Prop 15 will deal yet another blow to veteran-owned and other Main Street businesses when they are already struggling to recover from COVID-19…’

“‘There could not be a worse time for Prop 15 during a global pandemic and economic crisis. Join the San Diego Military Advisory Council in voting no…’

“‘San Diego has a proud history of supporting military families, active-duty personnel, and veterans.’ 

“‘As an organization founded to support local businesses and our military community, we are united in opposition to Prop 15.’ 

“Its impacts will be devastating to small businesses, active-duty military members and their families, veterans, and frankly our entire region.'”

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ABOUT NO ON PROP 15 – STOP HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES AND SAVE PROP 13
No on Prop 15 – Stop Higher Property Taxes and Save Prop 13, a bipartisan coalition of homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses, has been fighting to protect Prop 13 and oppose a split-roll property tax for more than a decade. For more information, please visit www.NOonProp15.org.

ICYMI: Wall Street Journal Editorial Blasts Prop 15

Posted on by Jon

Criticizes Mark Zuckerberg’s Financial Support of Tax Hike that Hurts Small Businesses and Minority Communities

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Wall Street Journal has joined more than two dozen newspapers who are expressing their opposition to increased property taxes proposed by Proposition 15, the largest property tax increase in California’s history. The Editorial Board points out that fast food franchises, small dairies, wineries, orchards, manufacturers and small businesses will pay for Prop 15’s higher taxes while tech companies like Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook will be less affected as their employees are allowed to work remotely.

Read excerpts from the Wall Street Journal’s Editorial: California’s Next Big Tax Gulp below:

“On Nov. 3, Californians will vote on a “split roll” ballot initiative (Prop. 15) that seeks to enact the biggest tax hike in state history. In 1978 voters enshrined protections against runaway property taxes in the state Constitution (Prop 13). Prop. 15 would abolish those protections for businesses while maintaining limitations—at least for now—on homes…

“This (Prop 13) is the only balm in California’s oppressive tax climate and acts as a modest restraint on the government spending ratchet. Unions know that attempting to repeal this entirely would spur a homeowner revolt, so they are targeting businesses…

“Unions say their initiative will only hit wealthy corporations, but not even the Democratic-friendly NAACP believes that whopper, which is why it and minority business groups are campaigning against the initiative. Anyone who owns a couple of fast food franchises would get walloped. Ditto small dairies, wineries, orchards and manufacturers… 

“Small businesses that rent space note that landlords would pass on the tax hike in lease agreements. Less affected will be tech titans that recently purchased properties or are planning to down-size office space as they allow more employees to work remotely. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is Prop. 15’s second biggest donor.

“Perhaps he’s trying to atone for his wealth, but as the NAACP and minority business groups explained in a letter to him in August: ‘Unlike Facebook, restaurants, dry cleaners, nail salons and other small businesses can’t operate right now and many may never open again. The last thing they need is a billionaire pushing higher taxes on them under the false flag of social justice.'”

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ABOUT NO ON PROP 15 – STOP HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES AND SAVE PROP 13
No on Prop 15 – Stop Higher Property Taxes and Save Prop 13, a bipartisan coalition of homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses, has been fighting to protect Prop 13 and oppose a split-roll property tax for more than a decade. For more information, please visit www.NOonProp15.org.