Proposition 218 came to the rescue of Proposition 13.

Proposition 13 was a law designed chiefly to protect property taxpayers. It put limits on how high and how fast property taxes could climb and required a vote of the people on new local taxes. After Proposition 13's success, bureaucrats looked for ways to raise revenues while avoiding Proposition 13's restrictions. They hit upon assessment districts, which had been historically used to fund capital improvements that directly benefited property. Over time, bureaucrats molded assessments into property taxes that avoided Proposition 13's restrictions.

Following the failure in the state legislature of 7 HJTA-sponsored bills over a 9-year period, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association qualified Proposition 218 for the November 1996 ballot. It gave the people the right to vote on all local taxes, and required taxpayer approval of assessments and property related fees.

The following articles provide background on Proposition 218:

• Prop. 218: Closing the Assessment Loophole in Prop. 13
• Text of Prop. 218 with Analysis
• Water Rates Under Prop. 218

Proposition 13 could be rendered meaningless if Proposition 218 fails at the polls.

Consider: Proposition 13 is a law designed chiefly to protect property taxpayers. It put limits on how high and how fast property taxes can climb and requires a vote of the people on new local taxes. After Prop 13's success, bureaucrats looked for ways to raise revenues while avoiding Prop 13's restrictions. They hit upon assessment districts, which were historically used to fund capital improvements that directly benefited property.

Right To Vote On Taxes Act

Statement of Drafters' Intent

Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, January 1997

SECTION 1. TITLE. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Right to Vote on Taxes Act."

The September 1997 issue of Debt Line reported on an Attorney General opinion which concluded that water service was not "property related" for purposes of Article XIIID of the California Constitution (Proposition 218). Such an interpretation, if adopted by the courts, would permit local governments to impose water rates in a manner that deviates from the important "costs of service" requirements mandated by the new law, as well as depriving California taxpayers of significant procedural protections.