Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Fresno Leaders Voice ‘Full Support’ for Pismo’s Restaurant Manager in ICE Custody

7 hours ago

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

9 hours ago

Just 38% of Americans Support Trump’s Use of Troops to Police DC, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

10 hours ago

Families Leave Gaza City After Night of Bombardment, Israelis Protest

12 hours ago

California Farming Couple Seeks $300 Million for Aspen Estate

13 hours ago

Trump Administration Cannot Sue Maryland Federal Judges Over Immigration Order, Judge Rules

14 hours ago

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

1 day ago

Trump To Sign Executive Order Directing AG To Prosecute Flag Desecration

1 day ago

Fresno County DUI Crash Sends Car Into Embankment Near Highway 99

2 days ago
Assembly Democrats Want Lower Threshold to Raise Local Taxes
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
March 28, 2019

Share

SACRAMENTO — California voters could decide in 2020 whether it should be easier for their local governments to raise taxes and issue bonds for affordable housing, road improvements and other public projects.

A constitutional amendment proposed Wednesday would lower how much voter support communities need to raise money for infrastructure projects from two-thirds to 55 percent.

“These two-thirds thresholds are meant to enable a boisterous minority to impede progress.”Assemblyman Todd Gloria of San Diego

Assembly Democrats say the current threshold allows a minority of voters to derail needed projects.

“These two-thirds thresholds are meant to enable a boisterous minority to impede progress,” said Assemblyman Todd Gloria of San Diego.

But taxpayer advocates said it would make things more expensive for homeowners in particular because it could lead to more parcel taxes, a flat tax levied on property owners.

“If this passes it’s going to be devastating for property owners,” said David Wolfe, legislative director for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Constitutional amendments need support from two-thirds of lawmakers to land on the ballot, and the backing of a simple majority of voters to become law.

Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, a Democrat sponsoring the amendment, said she hopes to place it on the November 2020 ballot. That would coincide with the presidential election, which usually draws the highest voter turnout and millions more Democrats than Republicans.

Democrats Highlighted Projects That Narrowly Missed the Two-Thirds Threshold

It would apply to projects including affordable housing, wastewater treatment, fire and police buildings, parks, public libraries, broadband expansion, hospitals and more.

“This will empower communities to take action at the local level to improve the economies, neighborhoods and residents’ quality of life.”Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry

Local governments typically fund those projects through bonds or special taxes, like the parcel tax or a dedicated sales tax.

The 55 percent threshold would still be higher than the simple majority communities need to raise general taxes, such as sales taxes not dedicated to special projects.

Democrats highlighted projects that have narrowly missed the two-thirds threshold to make their case, such as a recreation center restoration in Millbrae and road repairs in Eureka.

“I have heard about deteriorating buildings, decrepit community facilities and our extreme lack of affordable housing,” said Aguiar-Curry, a former mayor of a small rural California city. “This will empower communities to take action at the local level to improve the economies, neighborhoods and residents’ quality of life.”

But Wolfe, of the taxpayers association, said the list of allowable projects is broad and could lead to a slew of new tax and bond proposals from cities and counties that could saddle taxpayers for years.

“These are pretty encompassing categories and there’s no limit,” he said. “You’re talking about long-term debt that lasts for decades.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

California Searchers Pull Off High-Altitude Rescue of Missing Hiker

DON'T MISS

Judge Grants Fresno Temporary Win in Federal Grant DEI Dispute

DON'T MISS

Trump Administration Asks US Supreme Court to Halt Foreign Aid Payments

DON'T MISS

Hamas Challenges Israeli Account of Gaza Hospital Casualties

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified Set to Hire Deputy Superintendent With Impressive Credentials

DON'T MISS

Meta to Launch California Super PAC Backing Pro-AI Candidates

DON'T MISS

Poll: Californians Overwhelmingly Reject Trump’s Immigration Policies

DON'T MISS

Fresno Leaders Voice ‘Full Support’ for Pismo’s Restaurant Manager in ICE Custody

DON'T MISS

Leaked Audio Reveals Ex-Israeli Intelligence Chief Calling Gaza Deaths ‘Necessary’

DON'T MISS

Texas GOP Congressional Candidate Burns Quran With Flamethrower

UP NEXT

Poll: Californians Overwhelmingly Reject Trump’s Immigration Policies

UP NEXT

California High-Speed Rail Project Hit With New $175 Million Cut

UP NEXT

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

UP NEXT

ICE Is Suddenly Showing Up in CA Hospitals. Workers Want More Guidance on What to Do

UP NEXT

Coarsegold Elementary Briefly Locked Down After Student Brings Starter Pistol

UP NEXT

California Farming Couple Seeks $300 Million for Aspen Estate

UP NEXT

Trump Media, Crypto.com Announce Deal to Form Crypto Treasury Firm

UP NEXT

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

UP NEXT

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

UP NEXT

SF Has Avoided Trump’s Ire Until Now. Will He Send National Guard?

Hamas Challenges Israeli Account of Gaza Hospital Casualties

6 hours ago

Fresno Unified Set to Hire Deputy Superintendent With Impressive Credentials

6 hours ago

Meta to Launch California Super PAC Backing Pro-AI Candidates

7 hours ago

Poll: Californians Overwhelmingly Reject Trump’s Immigration Policies

7 hours ago

Fresno Leaders Voice ‘Full Support’ for Pismo’s Restaurant Manager in ICE Custody

7 hours ago

Leaked Audio Reveals Ex-Israeli Intelligence Chief Calling Gaza Deaths ‘Necessary’

8 hours ago

Texas GOP Congressional Candidate Burns Quran With Flamethrower

8 hours ago

Madera County Authorities Arrest Army Sergeant in Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation

8 hours ago

California High-Speed Rail Project Hit With New $175 Million Cut

8 hours ago

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

9 hours ago

California Searchers Pull Off High-Altitude Rescue of Missing Hiker

A hiker missing since Aug. 16 was located and evacuated Tuesday, Aug. 19, during a multi-agency search-and-rescue operation near Cottonwood ...

4 hours ago

On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, a hiker missing since August 16 was safely located and evacuated near Cottonwood Lakes during a multi-agency search and rescue operation. (Kern County SO)
4 hours ago

California Searchers Pull Off High-Altitude Rescue of Missing Hiker

Fresno City Gavel Lawsuit
5 hours ago

Judge Grants Fresno Temporary Win in Federal Grant DEI Dispute

People walk across the plaza of the U.S. Supreme Court building on the first day of the court's new term in Washington, U.S. October 3, 2022. (Reuters File)
6 hours ago

Trump Administration Asks US Supreme Court to Halt Foreign Aid Payments

People walk at the site of Israeli strikes on Nasser hospital where Palestinian cameraman Hussam al-Masri, who was a contractor for Reuters, was killed along with other journalists and people, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip in this still image taken from video, August 25, 2025. (Reuters File)
6 hours ago

Hamas Challenges Israeli Account of Gaza Hospital Casualties

FUSD Fresno Unified employment agreement Ben Drati
6 hours ago

Fresno Unified Set to Hire Deputy Superintendent With Impressive Credentials

7 hours ago

Meta to Launch California Super PAC Backing Pro-AI Candidates

7 hours ago

Poll: Californians Overwhelmingly Reject Trump’s Immigration Policies

7 hours ago

Fresno Leaders Voice ‘Full Support’ for Pismo’s Restaurant Manager in ICE Custody

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend