SACRAMENTO, CA – In the face of an unprecedented economic crisis, backers of the largest property tax increase in state history submitted signatures today to qualify their second flawed measure for the November 3, 2020, ballot. If passed, the $12.5 billion-a-year property tax hike will destroy long-standing Proposition 13 protections for businesses and farmers, while raising the cost of living for every Californian.
“After spending more than $3 million to qualify their first flawed property tax hike, proponents have spent millions more to qualify a second, equally flawed measure. It’s clear that the public employee unions behind the largest property tax increase in state history are willing to spend and do whatever it takes to raise the cost of living for working families,” said Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable and co-chair of Californians to Save Prop 13 and Stop Higher Property Taxes.
“A tax increase this large will harm all California families; there is no doubt about it,” said State Senator Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton). “For parts of the state like mine where so many families are struggling with California’s cost of living, there could not be a worse time to pass the largest property tax increase in state history.”
In February, the California Farm Bureau Federation announced its opposition to the November property tax increase measure, as it will destroy Proposition 13’s vital protections for farmers and raise property taxes on agricultural fixtures and improvements, including barns, dairies, wineries, and mature fruit trees, nut trees, and vineyards.
“No matter what proponents tell you, everything it takes to move my fresh oranges from farm to fork will see higher property taxes. That means groceries will cost more for every family in California,” added Eric Bream, a citrus farmer from Lindsay, California.
“There isn’t a consumer in the state who won’t face higher costs for everyday goods and services under this massive property tax hike,” said Pat Fong Kushida, president and CEO of the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce. “Mom and pop small businesses – from dry cleaners and hair salons to grocery stores and clothing shops – will bear the burden of higher property taxes and be left with no choice but to increase costs for consumers, lay off their employees, shut their doors or move out of state.”
During the last 12 months, five independent public polls have consistently shown that less than 50 percent of likely voters support the tax hike, marking a clear downward trend. In January, a USC Rossier School of Education poll found only 45 percent of likely voters would support the measure and in November of 2019, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) said that number was 46 percent. An earlier poll by the PPIC in September 2019 found just 47 percent of likely voters supported the tax hike. In July 2019, Change Research pegged support at 39 percent and in January 2019, the PPIC announced only 49 percent of likely voters were persuaded by the measure.
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About Californians To Save Prop 13 And Stop Higher Property Taxes
Californians to Save Prop 13 and Stop Higher Property Taxes, a 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.