Central Valley leaders are taking sides on Proposition 15, the initiative to roll back some of the property tax protections provided by the famous Prop. 13 of 1978. Supporters say Prop. 15 will close a loophole in the tax system and help schools and communities. Opponents say it is a...
Fresno Supervisors Ask Newsom to Waive Late Property Tax Penalties
The fate of Fresno County residents and businesses late on paying their property taxes amid the COVID-19 pandemic is in the hands of Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved sending a letter to the Capitol seeking a waiver on penalties and fees...
A Coronavirus Property Tax Delay? Californians Shouldn’t Count on It
The global pandemic notwithstanding, most California owners are still on the hook to pay their property taxes next week — thus far, the state isn’t granting any reprieves. Though both federal and state lawmakers postponed the deadline for income taxes through July 15, the statewide due date for homeowners and commercial real...
Supporters Seeking Rollback of Prop. 13 Submit Ballot Signatures
SACRAMENTO — Supporters of a proposed rollback of California's landmark Proposition 13 announced Thursday they have collected more than 1.7 million signatures, all but assuring it will appear on the November ballot. If approved by voters, the measure would raise property taxes on some businesses by up to $12 billion...
Walters: A Resurrection for Redevelopment?
Voters and elected officials adopt policies on assurances of beneficial impacts, but they often interact with other decrees to produce what are called “unintended consequences.” Redevelopment has been a classic example for nearly seven decades, and it may be on the verge of another twist. Redevelopment, authorized in the early...
Walters: 2020 Property Tax Measure Altered
Sponsors of a 2020 ballot measure to increase property taxes on factories, stores, warehouses, office buildings and other commercial real estate withdrew it this week and launched a revised version. It would be, the union-led sponsoring coalition said, an improvement that eases the potential impact on small business. More likely,...
Walters: 2020 Property Tax Measure Altered
Sponsors of a 2020 ballot measure to increase property taxes on factories, stores, warehouses, office buildings and other commercial real estate withdrew it this week and launched a revised version. It would be, the union-led sponsoring coalition said, an improvement that eases the potential impact on small business. More likely,...
Walters: Bond Issue Transparency Still Under Assault
Two years ago, in a rare display of support for transparency in government finance, the Legislature and then-Gov. Jerry Brown required local governments and school districts to tell voters how proposed bond issues would affect their property taxes. That would seem to be just common sense and good government, but...
A Fantastic Property Tax Proposal For Baby Boomers
To: California Association of Realtors Re: Death and Taxes Yes, all Californians eventually will die. But why can’t our property tax discounts live forever? That question was inspired by your glorious new ballot initiative to make our state’s Proposition 13 property tax savings even more generous. Your “People’s Initiative to...