Protecting Proposition 13

Despite continued taxpayer support for the protections provided by Proposition 13, the threat to this landmark constitutional amendment is nearly constant.

As I wrote in the Daily Pilot earlier this year:

“Before Proposition 13 passed in 1978, homeowners had become overwhelmed by decades of increasing tax assessments on their properties. Skyrocketing tax assessments threatened many, especially older Californians on fixed incomes, with the loss of their homes because they couldn’t make the tax payments.”

Prop. 13 stabilized property tax rates and decreased uncertainty for property owners, allowing Californians to feel confident that they wouldn’t be taxed out of their homes by unexpected property tax spikes. It also turned the property tax into the most stable and constistent revenue source for the state and for local governments.

Yet since 1978, opponents of Prop. 13 have continued to fight these vital protections for taxpayers. The chronic push for a “split roll,” is one prominent example.

A split-roll for commercial property would spike taxes on businesses, increase uncertainty in an already shaky business climate, and would create an administrative nightmare for commercial property owners as well as state agencies. Homeowners and renters would not see a benefit from this change, and a currently stable revenue source would see renewed volatility.

It is so important for Californians to stand united against attempts to weaken or destroy Prop. 13. That’s why am excited to be joining Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and leaders from across the state on September 4 in San Diego to show a united front in defense of Proposition 13. You can learn more about this important event here.

As always, I am honored to serve as your taxpayer advocate. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours truly,

Michelle Steel
Vice Chair
California State Board of Equalization