Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
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

Clovis Wants to Rein in Short-Term Rentals. Hearing Tuesday

DON'T MISS

Voters in California City Reject Measure Allowing Noncitizens to Vote in Local Races

DON'T MISS

Voters in Oakland Oust Mayor Sheng Thao Just 2 Years Into Her Term

DON'T MISS

Clovis Serves Up a Special Day for Veterans and Community

DON'T MISS

A Guide to Key Figures in Donald Trump’s Orbit

DON'T MISS

Dust Storm Knocks Out Power in Fresno Area, Causes Massive Pile-Up in Madera

DON'T MISS

Here Are the People Trump Has Picked for Key Positions So Far

DON'T MISS

California Gov. Gavin Newsom Will Spend Part of Week in DC as He Tries to Trump-Proof State Policies

DON'T MISS

Free Sandwiches in Fresno. No Strings Attached, Says Marijuana-Themed Deli.

DON'T MISS

Lakers’ Anthony Davis Sidelined by Eye Injury After Blocking Dunk Attempt

UP NEXT

US Regulators Investigating Whether Engines on 1.4 Million Hondas Might Fail

UP NEXT

When to Catch the Last Supermoon of the Year

UP NEXT

California Farmers Enjoy Pistachio Boom, With Much of It Headed to China

UP NEXT

Mattel Says It ‘Deeply’ Regrets Misprint on ‘Wicked’ Dolls Packaging That Links to Porn Site

UP NEXT

Do Trump and Newsom Agree On Anything? Yes, Homeless Encampments

UP NEXT

CA Legislature Sets Record for Women in Office and Could See Historic Gender Parity

UP NEXT

4B Movement: After the Election, a Call for Women to Swear Off Men

UP NEXT

San Francisco’s First Black Female Mayor Concedes to Levi Strauss Heir

UP NEXT

FBI Thwarts Iranian Murder-for-Hire Plan Targeting Donald Trump

UP NEXT

Southern California Wildfire Destroys 132 Structures as Officials Look for Fierce Winds to Subside

Clovis Serves Up a Special Day for Veterans and Community

15 hours ago

A Guide to Key Figures in Donald Trump’s Orbit

16 hours ago

Dust Storm Knocks Out Power in Fresno Area, Causes Massive Pile-Up in Madera

16 hours ago

Here Are the People Trump Has Picked for Key Positions So Far

17 hours ago

California Gov. Gavin Newsom Will Spend Part of Week in DC as He Tries to Trump-Proof State Policies

17 hours ago

Free Sandwiches in Fresno. No Strings Attached, Says Marijuana-Themed Deli.

17 hours ago

Lakers’ Anthony Davis Sidelined by Eye Injury After Blocking Dunk Attempt

18 hours ago

Curry Scores 36, OKC Loses Holmgren to Hip Injury in Warriors’ Win Over Thunder

18 hours ago

Vatican, Microsoft Create AI-Generated St. Peter’s Basilica to Allow Virtual Visits, Log Damage

18 hours ago

How Many Drivers Did Fresno PD Nab in Latest DUI Checkoint?

18 hours ago

Clovis Wants to Rein in Short-Term Rentals. Hearing Tuesday

Clovis officials will decide Tuesday whether to update city code regarding short-term rentals, which some neighbors say have become troubles...

14 hours ago

14 hours ago

Clovis Wants to Rein in Short-Term Rentals. Hearing Tuesday

15 hours ago

Voters in California City Reject Measure Allowing Noncitizens to Vote in Local Races

15 hours ago

Voters in Oakland Oust Mayor Sheng Thao Just 2 Years Into Her Term

15 hours ago

Clovis Serves Up a Special Day for Veterans and Community

16 hours ago

A Guide to Key Figures in Donald Trump’s Orbit

16 hours ago

Dust Storm Knocks Out Power in Fresno Area, Causes Massive Pile-Up in Madera

17 hours ago

Here Are the People Trump Has Picked for Key Positions So Far

17 hours ago

California Gov. Gavin Newsom Will Spend Part of Week in DC as He Tries to Trump-Proof State Policies

Search

Send this to a friend