NO ON PROP 15 RESPONDS TO GOVERNOR NEWSOM’S SUPPORT FOR $11.5 BILLION PROPERTY TAX HIKE

Broad-based, bipartisan coalition argues the worst recession in a generation isn’t the time to make the state’s affordability crisis worse

SACRAMENTO, CALIF.: The No on Proposition 15 campaign issued the following statement today in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s endorsement of the largest property tax increase in California history:

“Today, the governor supported $11.5 billion in higher property taxes, which will mean increased costs for the same small and minority-owned businesses he’s forced to close for the last six months. Now is not the time to support the largest property tax in California history and make our cost of living crisis even worse.”

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT PROP 15

San Jose Mercury News editorial opposing Prop 15:
“California’s property tax system is a mess. Proposition 15, the ‘split roll’ measure on the Nov. 3 ballot, attempts to fix it. Unfortunately, it only makes matters worse… The solution is not to apply more Band-Aids and layer more complexity onto an already-broken system. And it certainly doesn’t make sense to increase taxes on businesses when many of them can least afford it…”

Julian Canete, president of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce:
“Without a doubt, the largest property tax increase in state history will devastate Latino-owned small businesses and hurt thousands of workers who rely on these blue-collar jobs to feed their families. The measure’s $11.5 billion-a-year property tax hike means increased rents for small businesses and ultimately, higher costs for consumers – pushing both family and small business budgets into the red.”

Edwin Lombard, president and CEO of the California Black Chamber of Commerce:
“Prop 15’s $11.5 billion property tax increase will mean higher rents for minority-owned small businesses, like restaurants, barbershops and dry cleaners who are already struggling to stay afloat.”

Minnie Hadley-Hempstead, president of the NAACP Los Angeles Branch and a retired public school teacher from the Los Angeles Unified School District:
“Prop 15 is just another blank check to the same broken system that will let local politicians spend our hard-earned tax dollars on outside consultants or administrator pay raises and pensions.”

Sandy Cajas, president and CEO of the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:
“Before the pandemic, nearly half of California workers were employed by a small business. If we want to return millions of unemployed Californians back to work, recovery must start with small businesses. If Governor Newsom is serious about helping small businesses, opposing Prop 15’s $11.5 billion tax hike is a no-brainer.”

Cedric White, president and CEO of the Antelope Valley Black Chamber of Commerce and owner White’s Concrete Construction:
“Governor Newsom, as a small business owner you understand the determination it takes to run a company and create jobs. The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated that dream for countless entrepreneurs. Prop 15 will make that dream unattainable. In the midst of a historic economic downturn, now is hardly the time to raise property taxes and rents on small businesses.”

Patrick Mulvaney, owner of Mulvaney’s B&L Restaurant (Sacramento):
“The evidence in opposition to Prop 15 is overwhelming, especially if you’re a small business owner like me. Here’s something most people don’t know. California restaurants are one of the state’s largest employers. Prior to the pandemic, the restaurant industry employed more than 1.5 million Californians. Sadly, more than 700,000 employees have lost their jobs in the last five months alone, and the numbers will get worse – much worse – if Prop 15 passes.”

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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.