More attacks on Prop. 13 Protections

More Attacks on CA Prop 13 Protections in November Ballot

Dem politicians have often complained that Prop 13 has kept “property taxes artificially low.” First, why should the government have a ‘right’ to a huge windfall because property values increased? Services have not increased; public schools are as poorly run as ever. Further, don’t owners have a right to a predictable level of tax? A tax that owners can budget and plan for years ahead.

Before Prop 13, property taxes were driving people from their homes. The Democrats simply said that if you can’t afford your house, you’ll just have to sell to someone who can! The truth is that owners could afford their houses, they just could not afford the skyrocketing property taxes. Governmental greed is what caused the passage of Prop 13.

Before Prop 13, assessments were averaging 2.65% of market value. Under Prop 13, assessments were limited to 1% of purchase price plus up to 2% increases in property valuation per year. Were we to return to pre-Prop 13, the tax on a $1,000,000 house would skyrocket to $26,500! If the house was bought some years ago for $200,000 they might have been paying $3,000 with Prop. 13.

Inflation not only increases the PRICES of property but does not change its comparative value, it also raises property taxes with out Prop 13.

Another highly important feature of Prop 13 is that all tax increases need to be approved by 2/3 of the voters. Amendment 1 or ACA 1 would reduce the vote requirement to 55% for “infrastructure and affordable housing.” Naturally almost any public construction or repair could be classified as such.

Amendment 3 or ACA 3 would gut a major protection of Prop. 13 by changing taxation valuation to, ”Current Market Value,” instead of 1% of purchase price.,”

Mark Fernwood

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