ACA 13 AIMS TO CRACK PROP. 13
The California Legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment that would change the rules for passing initiatives that protect taxpayers.
TAX-RAISERS PLOT 2026 COMEBACK
Back in 2023, the tax-raisers had a plan. The California Legislature passed Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1 (ACA 1), an attack on Proposition 13 that would have made it easier to raise taxes. ACA 1 would have cut the vote needed to pass local bonds and special taxes from 66.7% to 55%.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: A CHANCE TO FINALLY PULL THE PLUG ON HIGH-SPEED RAIL
California politicians have been blind to the fact that the state’s High Speed Rail project is an utter failure. However, the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by the Trump administration might finally force HSR advocates to open their eyes to the reality that the project will never be completed as promised 26 years ago.
2024 TAXFIGHTER OF THE YEAR: THOMAS A. RUBIN, FOUNDER OF 20 BILLION REASONS
The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is proud to name Thomas A. Rubin, founder of 20 BILLION Reasons, as the 2024 Taxfighter of the Year. His grassroots team went up against the government money machine and was successful in having an enormous housing bond removed from the 2024 ballot.
DO HOMEOWNERS IN OTHER STATES HAVE “PROP. 13 ENVY”?
As inflation and high demand push home prices higher all across the country, voters in other states are adopting tax-limitation laws to deal with skyrocketing property taxes.
UNDER THE DOME: THE POLITICAL THEATER OF SPECIAL SESSIONS
Gov. Gavin Newsom calls a lot of special sessions. In November, he called one to “safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration.” In August, he called one to “stop gas price spikes.” In 2022, he called one “to hold [the] oil industry accountable for price gouging.”
BULLET TRAIN UPDATE: HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECT FACES FEDERAL SCRUTINY
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was in Los Angeles in February to announce that the administration is beginning a “compliance review” of the federal grants previously approved for the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA).
THE LEGAL FRONT: HJTA TAKES THE FIGHT AGAINST THE ILLEGAL "MANSION TAX" TO A HIGHER COURT
When Measure ULA was passed in the city of Los Angeles in November of 2022, it struck two blows against Proposition 13 (and 218). The first was against the two-thirds vote on local special taxes. The second was against the equity in property.
WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!
Thanks to the support of HJTA Members, we had a tremendous victory in November with the defeat of Proposition 5, which would have made it easier to raise property taxes by making it easier for local governments to take on bond debt. Our campaign was outspent 10-1 by the tax-raisers, but we were effective because we had the better message, and your donations to the Protect Prop. 13 Committee made it possible to get that message out to the voters.
TUNE IN TO THE HOWARD JARVIS RADIO SHOW
Our message of support for lower taxes and accountable government is reaching more Californians than ever before on the Howard Jarvis Radio Show, broadcast every Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
YOUR SIGNED PETITIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE HELP US PROTECT PROP. 13
HJTA often asks Members to sign petitions to the Legislature. These are collected and sorted, then delivered to each individual State Senator and Assembly Member.
GRASSROOTS REPORT: DEFENDING PROPOSITION 13 — HOW HJTA MEMBERS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
In 2025, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association remains unwavering in its mission to protect Proposition 13. This year is critical, as we watch vigilantly for another push for a split-roll property tax in 2026 — a direct threat to Prop. 13 and all California taxpayers.
FOUNDATION REPORT: HJTA SCORES A VICTORY FOR WATER RATEPAYERS, AND JOEL FOX JOINS THE BOARD
Appellate court rules in favor of HJTA in water rate challenge. On January 31, the Court of Appeal of the State of California, Fourth Appellate District, ruled in favor of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association in a case challenging water rate disparities in the Coachella Valley Water District.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED: WILL MY PROPERTY TAXES GO UP IF I REBUILD AFTER A DISASTER?
Homeowners rebuilding after wildfires or other disasters remains protected by Proposition 13. As Californians grapple with the aftermath of the severe wildfires in Southern California, there is some good news for homeowners whose property was damaged or destroyed: They can rebuild their homes without any change to the taxable value.