With great fanfare, the proponents of an initiative to raise property taxes in California by $12 billion a year announced they had turned in over 1.7 million signatures to qualify the measure. Their press release was headlined “Schools and Communities First make history with most ever signatures submitted.” It’s a wonder they didn’t break their […]
The second installment of the 2019-2020 property tax bill was due on Friday and we hope the majority of California’s property owners were able to pay it without economic hardship. Unfortunately, for many homeowners and small businesses, it was more than just a hardship. They simply didn’t have the cash, and now they’re considered delinquent. […]
Homeowners have enough to worry about in the current coronavirus crisis. They face an April 10 deadline for the second installment of their annual property tax bill and there is no relief — yet — coming from either the governor’s office or the majority of county treasurer/tax collectors. Many taxpayers have been furloughed or laid […]
From many corners, California politicians and tax officials are under increasing pressure to extend the current April 10 deadline for paying property tax bills. The request is not unreasonable and there are many ways that government can assist homeowners who are under threat of hefty penalties or tax foreclosures. To date, our political leaders have […]
The word “unprecedented” is fitting for the coronavirus crisis that is now savaging both the health of countless Americans as well as our nation’s economy. Not since September 11th has the United States faced such a challenge. In reaction to the outbreak, healthcare professionals have emphasized the importance of speed. Dr. Michael Ryan, Executive Director […]
Of the many conclusions that can be drawn from the March primary election in California, perhaps the most notable is that money doesn’t always translate into political success. Let’s start with the “bad” Proposition 13 — the $15 billion statewide school bond measure which, at this writing, is way behind in the polls. The Associated […]
The good Proposition 13 — the one from 1978, not the $15 billion school bond currently on electoral life support — was the beginning of the modern tax revolt movement. That movement spread across the United States and even into Europe in addition to spawning several additional initiatives here in California. But it’s the bad […]
We’ve seen this before. Fearful that taxpayers might reject a proposed tax increase or bond, the proponents of the measure will trot out some endorsement of a fake organization with a pro-taxpayer sounding name. It is a highly deceptive tactic meant to confuse voters. Before this campaign season began, had anyone heard of the California […]
In the arguments and advertising in support of Proposition 13 on the March 3 ballot, the proponents are trying to convince the voters it is all “for the kids.” As with previous education ballot measures in California, a parade of disasters is predicted unless the proposal in question is approved. True to form, the opening […]
A couple of months ago, this column sounded the alarm concerning the big statewide school bond on the March 2020 ballot. Voters have already started casting their ballots on this measure, ironically identified as Proposition 13 (2020). Unlike the beneficial Prop. 13 from 1978, this Prop. 13 is a huge $15 billion statewide school bond […]
